GIFT   OF 
Prof.   P.   L.    Paxson 


WEBB 
FAMILY    LETTERS 


Of  this    letter-press    edition 
35O  copies  have  been  printed. 

No. 


FAMILY    LETTERS 

OF 

SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB 

\\ 
1764—1807 


EDITED  BY 

WORTHINGTON   CHAUNCEY  FORD 


NEW  YORK 

MCMXII 


2-07 
\A/5 


THE    UNIVERSITY    PRESS,    CAMBRIDGE,    U.  S.  A. 


NOTE 

IN  1893-1894  I  issued  three  volumes  of  the  "Correspond 
ence  and  Journals  of  Samuel  Blachley  Webb,"  based 
upon  such  papers  of  my  grandfather  as  were  then  avail 
able.  There  recently  came  into  my  possession  a  number 
of  family  letters  and  papers,  other  than  those  used  nearly 
twenty  years  ago.  They  supplement  and  complete  the 
earlier  volumes,  which  were  concerned  more  closely  with 
his  military  career,  and  especially  with  his  experience  as  a 
prisoner  of  war  on  Long  Island,  and  with  the  policy  of 
British  and  Americans  on  exchanges  of  prisoners  of  war. 
This  volume  contains  not  a  few  military  papers,  and  will 
deal  with  his  relations  to  his  family,  his  social  life,  and  the 
conditions  which  marked  the  years  after  the  War  of  Inde 
pendence.  The  passage  from  colony  to  State,  from  a  de 
pendent  to  an  independent  people,  and  by  a  war  which 
was  fought  with  little  general  disturbance  to  the  country, 
was  yet  disruptive  of  social  conditions.  The  changes  are 
outlined  in  these  family  papers  by  those  who  felt  without 
understanding  them,  the  best  of  recorders  of  such  incidents. 
Believing  that  they  constitute  a  valuable  contribution  to 
the  history  of  social  evolution  in  the  first  years  of  the 
Republic,  I  have  placed  them  in  Mr.  Ford's  hands  for 
publication. 

The  three  volumes  of  "Correspondence  and  Journals," 
a  volume  of  "Social  Notes,"  containing  some  of  the  "bil 
lets  "  or  notes  of  invitation  received  bv  General  Webb,  and 


M194485 


VI  NOTE 

this  volume  of  "Family  Letters,"  comprise  all  of  interest 
in  the  Webb  Papers  in  my  possession.  It  is  known  that 
these  surviving  papers  formed  part  of  a  very  large  mass  of 
documents,  and  they  must,  therefore,  be  regarded  as  frag 
mentary.  They  cover  a  certain  aspect  of  social  environ 
ment  which  no  other  collection  could  cover  in  the  same 
manner. 

W.  SEWARD  WEBB. 


PREFACE 

YOUNG  SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB  naturally  fol 
lowed  the  profession  of  his  father,  and  sent  ships 
to  the  West  Indies  laden  with  horses,  wheat, 
and  provisions,  the  chief  articles  exported  from  Con 
necticut.1  On  some  of  these  ventures  he  went  in  per 
son,  and  became  acquainted  with  life  in  the  islands, 
forming  mercantile  connections  which  promised  future 
advantage,  and  mastering  the  elements  of  commerce 
under  favorable  conditions.  To  be  engaged  in  trade  with 
such  men  as  Jeremiah  Wadsworth  of  Connecticut  and  John 
Alsop  of  New  York,  opened  a  prospect  of  profitable  and 
permanent  success,  for  they  commanded  the  confidence  of 
their  clients  and  possessed  the  needed  capital.  The  one 
disturbing  influence  was  his  step-father,  Silas  Deane,  whose 
political  career  is  well  known,  but  whose  honesty  in  money 
matters  becomes  open  to  question  in  the  light  of  letters 
printed  in  this  volume.  He  appears  to  have  appropriated 
to  his  own  use  what  belonged  to  his  wards,  and  no  account 
ing  was  possible  after  he  went  to  France.  This  circum 
stance  plunged  the  Webbs  into  difficulties  which  nearly 
proved  disastrous,  for  they  were  called  upon  to  pay  debts 
incurred  by  another,  to  settle  accounts  of  which  they  had 
no  record,  and  to  assume  responsibilities  growing  out  of 
past  transactions  in  which  they  could  only  feel  that  their 

1  His  career  is  more  fully  dealt  with  in  the  third  volume  of  the 
Correspondence  and  Journals. 


Vlll  PREFACE 

guardian  had  not  protected  their  interest,  if,  indeed,  he 
had  not  used  the  opportunity  to  his  own  gain.  The  un 
balanced  account  book  and  the  inevitable  difficulties  at 
tending  an  unsettled  estate  again  and  again  proved  annoy 
ing  and  costly  to  the  innocent  sufferers. 

Some  of  the  documents  relate  to  the  period  of  Webb's 
imprisonment  on  Long  Island.  From  the  Trumbull 
Papers  are  drawn  an  account  of  his  capture,  due  to  no 
fault  of  his  own,  and  the  letters  from  his  officers  and  fellow 
prisoners  complement  what  was  printed  in  the  Corre 
spondence  and  Journals.  Irksome  as  were  many  features 
of  his  life  on  Long  Island,  he  was  not  without  some  amuse 
ments  and  some  advantageous  social  intercourse.  The 
lottery  in  many  charitable  and  religious  forms  came  as 
near  to  offering  excitement  as  was  possible.  He  had  access 
to  such  literature  as  was  then  approved,  and  through  the 
printer  of  the  Royal  Gazette,  the  capable  Rivington,  he  was 
able  to  obtain  the  latest  issues  of  the  English  and  the  pirati 
cal  Irish  presses,  as  well  as  the  best  intelligence  from  Europe 
by  the  royalist  newspapers  and  British  magazines.  There 
were  theaters  and  places  of  amusement  near  New  York  to 
which  he  could  resort,  and  at  Flatbush  could  be  found 
some  loyalists  noted  for  their  generous  hospitality,  a  circle 
which  encouraged  social  gatherings  where  English  and 
American  met  upon  an  equality.  Webb  was  fortunate  in 
having  formed  connections  with  the  city  before  the  war, 
and  he  found  old  acquaintances  or  their  connections  on 
the  island,  ready  and  happy  to  give  him  a  welcome,  and 
to  relieve  to  the  utmost  of  their  ability  the  necessarily 
wearisome  days  of  his  durance.  He  felt  the  restraint  of 
his  captivity,  and  chafed  under  its  restrictions,  though 
those  had  been  lightened  as  far  as  was  consistent  with 


PREFACE  ix 

safety  and  discipline.  He  was  at  first  inclined  to  blame  his 
family,  his  friends,  his  commander,  for  their  neglect  and 
want  of  effort  to  release  him,  even  under  parole.  In  fact, 
no  one  could  reasonably  be  blamed  for  the  situation.  His 
family  did  their  utmost  in  sending  him  money,  provisions, 
forage  for  his  horse,  and  intelligence  from  his  circle  of 
friends.  His  friends  were  powerless  to  release  him,  for  he 
was  a  prisoner  of  war,  captured  in  an  open  and  fair  manner, 
and  therefore  subject  to  the  routine  of  regulations  which 
the  rules  of  war  imposed.  These  rules  had  not  yet  been 
so  far  defined  as  to  permit  of  his  exchange.  The  British 
would  not  frame  a  system  of  general  exchanges,  because 
by  so  doing  they  would  recognize  the  Americans  as  bellig 
erents,  and  they  could  look  upon  them  only  as  rebels. 
Being  of  the  Continental  Army  he  was  subject  to  the  au 
thority  of  Washington,  and  even  Washington  could  not 
submit  to  other  than  a  general  exchange,  regularly  con 
ducted  upon  perfectly  equal  terms.  Such  the  English 
generals  would  not  permit,  and  Webb,  the  individual,  suf 
fered.  It  was  a  simple  matter  to  preach  patience  to  him, 
but  it  was  difficult  to  practice  that  virtue  when  the  real 
cause  of  his  being  kept  a  prisoner  remained  unknown  to 
him,  and  he  was  made  aware  only  of  the  promises  of  re 
lease  but  not  of  the  supreme  difficulties  to  accomplishing  it. 
Webb's  military  enthusiasm  was  yet  too  fresh  to  permit 
him  to  accept  the  situation  with  complacency.  Proud  of 
his  regiment,  and  possessing  the  full  confidence  of  his  men, 
he  was  eager  again  to  take  his  place  at  its  head,  and  again 
to  tempt  the  fortunes  of  war.  Perhaps  he  was  not  such  a 
loser  as  he  seemed  to  be.  Military  service  in  the  Conti 
nental  Army  was  most  uncertain,  and  an  officer  was  quite 
as  likely  to  have  only  the  privations  without  the  glory,  the 


X  PREFACE 

penalties  without  the  rewards  of  bravery  and  devotion  to 
duty.  Webb's  own  regiment  came  to  speak  of  the  "hated 
Highlands,"  the  most  important  military  position  of  the 
North,  but  where  a  regiment  grew  rusty  in  garrison,  and 
neither  saw  nor  felt  the  stimulating  service  that  marches 
and  fighting  give.  Discipline  was  maintained,  but  it  was  a 
tiresome  routine,  offering  little  variety  and  broken  only 
by  a  court  martial  or  a  foraging  expedition.  Besides,  pay 
was  low,  was  not  regular,  and  often  stood  in  heavy  arrears; 
but  expenses  continued  and  the  situation  of  the  officers 
became  worse  each  year.  Even  with  the  main  army, 
where  the  heaviest  demands  were  made  upon  the  troops, 
victories  were  few  and  of  little  importance,  the  regular 
duties  were  exacting,  and  the  spirit  of  the  men  was  kept 
at  a  low  ebb  because  of  the  uncertainty  of  the  future. 
The  private  no  longer  came  into  service  flushed  with  patri 
otic  ardor  for  the  cause  and  intent  upon  redressing  wrongs 
which  he  felt  and  against  which  he  had  taken  arms.  He 
came  under  the  bribe  of  a  bounty  and  had  only  a  little  in 
terest  in  doing  more  than  the  army  regulations  required. 
This  was  as  true  of  the  New  England  troops  as  of  those 
from  other  States.  In  a  few  years  the  tone  of  the  army  had 
changed  for  the  worse;  it  required  a  few  more  years  of 
hardship  and  intense  suffering  and  sacrifice  to  produce 
the  army  that  closed  the  war,  an  army  of  which  any  people 
could  be  proud,  and  a  body  of  officers  and  men  that  in 
peace  proved  their  high  ideals  and  their  worth  to  the  Union 
as  fully  as  they  had  proved  their  qualities  in  war. 

No  stone  was  left  unturned  to  secure  Webb's  release, 
but  nothing  could  be  done  until  a  great  concession  was 
made  by  the  British  and  he  came  out  of  New  York  on 
parole.  This  meant  only  another  form  of  inaction,  for  he 


PREFACE  x| 

could  not  serve  at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  and  he  was  liable 
to  be  called  back  to  Long  Island  at  any  time,  and  upon  a 
frivolous  pretext.  An  indiscretion  committed  by  an  officer 
in  Carolina  might  result  in  the  English  general's  issuing  an 
order  for  the  immediate  return  of  all  prisoners  on  parole. 
Such  a  situation  reduced  him  to  inaction.  Reports  of  the 
condition  of  his  regiment  could  be  made  to  him,  and  he 
could  offer  his  advice  when  asked.  He  was  able  to  visit  his 
companions  in  arms,  and  in  New  Jersey  found  a  congenial 
circle  where  he  contracted  a  servitude  which  sweetened 
his  days  and  gave  him  a  loving  and  loyal  wife.  Elizabeth 
Bancker  united  the  praises  of  all  who  knew  her,  and  the 
short  life  given  to  her  after  marriage  made  the  beauty  of 
her  character  the  greater.  In  the  hope  of  saving  her  from 
death  both  the  American  and  British  commanders  relaxed 
the  regulations  laid  down  to  govern  intercourse,  and  Webb 
on  this  sad  voyage  enjoyed  the  sense  of  sympathy  from 
foe  as  well  as  from  friend. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  trace  in  detail  the  events  that  fol 
lowed  Webb's  release  from  his  captivity  with  the  British. 
The  last  years  of  the  war  brought  hard  service,  and  few 
opportunities  for  brilliant  actions.  He  labored  much  over 
his  regiment,  and  gained  praise  for  its  good  appearance, 
discipline,  and  manual  performances.  He  was  given  the 
command  of  the  Light  Infantry,  and,  hutted  on  the  banks  of 
the  Hudson,  took  his  share  of  camp  and  guard  service.  It 
was  not  all  toil.  A  ball,  a  supper,  a  feast  on  some  dainties 
sent  from  friends,  and  the  usual  sports  of  winter  and  summer 
broke  the  monotony.  He  was  fortunate  in  his  friends,  and 
to  Mrs.  Greene  and  Mrs.  Knox,  the  leaders  of  social 
pleasures,  his  relations  were  close.  Before  the  disbanding 
of  the  army  he  had  a  very  wide  circle  of  friends  and  a  still 


Xll  PREFACE 

wider  one  of  acquaintances,  and  from  all  sections  of  the 
Confederation.  He  laid  down  his  commission  with  regret, 
and  his  son  inherited  his  liking  for  a  military  career. 

Removing  to  New  York,  Webb  sought  to  form  connec 
tions  that  might  establish  him  in  some  business  calling. 
Too  little  is  known  of  the  steps  he  took  in  this  direction,  but 
Jeremiah  Wadsworth  appears  to  be  his  sponsor,  and  a 
better  could  not  be  desired.  Either  the  opening  was  not 
so  good  as  it  promised  to  be,  or  the  adventurers  were 
alarmed  by  the  uncertainties  of  all  trade;  for  Webb  re 
mained  without  active  employment,  and  his  ambition  led 
him  to  seek  public  office.  Again  the  conditions  were  against 
him.  The  number  of  offices  under  the  Continent  was 
small,  and  the  applicants  many.  The  prospects  of  the  hold 
ers  did  not  appear  bright,  as  the  Congress  was  sinking  into 
a  state  of  hopelessness,  scorned  and  neglected  by  the  States, 
and  having  no  power  of  gaining  strength  and  authority. 
The  formation  of  a  federal  government  did  not  materially 
alter  the  conditions.  Again  the  positions  were  not  sufficient 
to  meet  the  demand,  and  the  rewards  were  given  as  seemed 
best  to  the  authorities.  Webb  naturally  felt  some  disap 
pointment,  but  accepted  the  situation  without  murmur 
ing.  With  Richard  Platt  and  others  he  engaged  in  buying 
soldiers'  notes  and  State  promises  to  pay,  a  very  uncer 
tain  form  of  securities,  and  yet  offering  good  profit  when 
judiciously  purchased.  With  Judge  Hogeboom  he  specu 
lated  in  land  claims  and  with  success.  His  old  comrades 
made  demands  upon  him,  knowing  his  generosity  and 
kindly  tact.  One  would  borrow  money,  another  would 
borrow  his  horse  or  hunting  outfit.  Now  he  would  be  called 
upon  to  settle  some  business  matter,  for  banking  opera 
tions  and  the  machinery  of  credit  were  little  known;  and 


PREFACE 


Xlll 


again  he  would  be  employed. to  smooth  over  some  love 
affair  that  threatened  disaster  to  one  of  the  parties.  Nor 
were  his  own  concerns  always  without  responsibilities,  and 
once,  at  least,  he  fought  a  duel  to  establish  his  own  position 
in  a  matter  which  certainly  did  not  call  for  so  great  a  sac 
rifice  as  life.  At  all  times  he  was  ready  to  preside  over  a 
feast;  to  serve  on  the  managing  committee  for  the  inaugu 
ration  ceremonies  of  1789,  when  his  chief  took  the  oath  as 
the  first  President  of  the  United  States;  or  to  conduct  a 
speculation. 

In  no  respect  did  the  war  result  in  more  arbitrary  acts 
than  in  those  affecting  the  ownership  and  transfer  of  prop 
erty.  A  loyalist  forced  to  retire  within  the  British  lines  or 
to  leave  the  country  could  only  expect  to  lose  the  use  of 
and  even  his  right  to  his  lands  and  chattels.  The  cruel 
laws  of  confiscation  passed  in  many  of  the  States  fixed 
upon  him  and  his  family  a  stigma  of  ill-repute  as  well  as 
inflicted  a  serious  property  loss.  These  laws  and  the  dis 
turbances  introduced  by  war  and  a  resort  to  paper  money 
gave  every  opportunity  to  the  dishonest  debtor  and  the  un 
scrupulous  speculator.  The  honest  creditor  suffered  in  his 
payments  as  well  as  in  his  receipts;  debts  were  outlawed  or 
repudiated;  the  war  prevented  the  payment  as  well  as 
the  collection  of  debts,  suspending  action  or  giving  an 
opening  to  escape  responsibilities.  Webb  was  made  to  feel 
this  by  the  situation  in  which  Richard  Bancker's  property 
was  left.  A  merchant  of  good  reputation  in  New  York,  and 
with  an  English  connection,  he  had  traded  extensively 
and  become  the  agent  for  employing  the  capital  of  others, 
for  the  colonies  offered  a  higher  rate  of  profit  than  could  be 
gained  in  England.  His  sudden  death  left  his  affairs  in 
confusion,  and  the  war  prevented  an  arrangement  which 


XIV  PREFACE 

could  satisfy  the  creditors.  The  property  was  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  and  rents  could  not  be  collected;  the  lands 
outside  of  New  York  were  either  too  near  the  seat  of  hos 
tilities  to  be  profitable,  or  too  remote  to  be  so  directly 
managed  as  to  make  returns.  After  the  peace  payments 
were  demanded,  and  on  Webb  fell  the  responsibility  of 
meeting  them.  Only  a  glimpse  here  and  there  of  those 
matters  are  afforded  by  these  papers;  but  it  is  evident 
that  the  final  settlements  were  satisfactory  to  all,  although 
they  demanded  anxious  care  and  a  heavy  sacrifice  of  prop 
erties  at  times  when  only  a  part  of  their  value  could  be  ob 
tained.  For  years  after  the  peace  the  financial  concerns  of 
the  country  remained  in  disorder,  affecting  all  private 
business  and  all  forms  of  commercial  dealings.  The  dis 
asters  were  many  and  widespread. 

Among  those  affected  was  his  brother,  Joseph  Webb. 
He  had  been  a  trusted  agent  by  the  State  and  the  Con 
tinent  during  the  war,  and  had  on  many  occasions  taken  a 
flag  into  New  York  for  the  relief  of  the  American  prison 
ers  there,  or  to  answer  the  many  calls  that  such  missions 
imply.  These  flags  were  given  only  to  the  most  trusted,  for 
the  temptation  to  abuse  the  privilege  proved  too  strong  for 
the  weak.  He  had  many  acquaintances,  as  well  as  friends, 
among  the  British,  and  he  was  a  welcome  visitor,  even 
if  he  were  not  on  an  errand  of  mercy  but  in  the  performance 
of  some  routine  of  intercourse  between  hostile  camps.  He 
obtained  a  large  contract  for  leather  from  the  commissary 
department  of  the  American  army,  and  fulfilled  his  contract 
to  the  letter,  something  worthy  of  mention  in  that  day  when 
the  contractors,  as  they  can  do  in  war  times,  were  accumu 
lating  large  gains.  He  lived  in  comfort  and  had  all  the 
employment  he  could  desire.  With  the  return  of  peace 


PREFACE  XV 

conditions  changed  much.  The  army  contract  was  ter 
minated,  and  left  him  with  a  plant  all  too  large  for  ordinary 
service,  and  difficult  to  manage  at  a  profit.  The  old  trade 
debts  of  Silas  Deane  came  up  for  settlement,  and  the  books 
of  accounts  were  wanting.  His  former  partner,  John  Alsop, 
pressed  for  payment  of  a  debt,  the  real  nature  of  which  is 
not  shown  by  the  letters,  but  in  all  probability  dating  be 
fore  the  war.  The  son  of  John  Simpson,  a  loyalist  who 
had  sought  refuge  in  the  British  lines,  demanded  his  sup 
posed  share  of  the  father's  estate,  a  part  of  which  he  claimed 
to  be  represented  by  goods  sent  to  Webb  in  1775,  when 
hostilities  first  broke  forth.  Jesse  Deane,  the  son  of  Silas 
Deane,  and  half-brother  of  the  Webbs,  called  for  a  set 
tlement  of  the  Deane  estate,  about  which  little  was  known 
save  that  Deane  had  managed  it  for  his  own  advantage. 
The  State  demanded  its  taxes  and  in  cash,  a  commodity 
difficult  to  obtain.  This  pressure  all  came  at  a  time  when 
business  was  anything  but  profitable  and  when  discontent 
and  real  suffering  were  generally  felt  in  Connecticut.  The 
story  of  the  consequences  is  fully  told  in  the  following 
pages.  The  wicked  law  of  imprisonment  for  debt  enabled 
Alsop  to  seize  upon  the  body  of  his  creditor,  and  Joseph 
Webb,  unfortunate  and  not  guilty  of  any  wrong  or  decep 
tion,  suffered  a  short  imprisonment  which  threatened  to 
break  his  spirit  and  ruin  him  entirely  and  finally.  His 
trial  was  a  short  one,  soothed  by  brotherly  and  friendly 
attention,  and  he  came  from  the  gaol  with  renewed  courage 
and  succeeded  in  meeting  all  his  creditors  and  again  building 
up  a  successful  business.  The  story  is  well  worth  preserv 
ing,  because  it  pictures  the  disturbed  commerce  of  the  day 
and  the  hardships  it  imposed  upon  those  who  were  unable 
to  meet  its  uncertainties.  It  also  shows  a  man  who  re- 


XVI  PREFACE 

tained  through  all  his  trials  the  confidence  of  his  friends 
and  his  position  in  the  community. 

In  Webb's  career  a  series  of  chance  occurrences  may  ap 
parently  be  traced.  A  mercantile  career  was  closed  by  the 
war.  He  had  an  opportunity  to  win  military  glory,  but 
his  captivity  interfered.  He  almost  secured  the  post  of 
Secretary  at  War  under  the  Confederation,  and  would  have 
received  the  appointment  had  not  General  Knox's  necessi 
ties  obliged  him  to  take  it.  He  considered  going  with 
Winthrop  Sargent  to  the  Western  country,  and  thus  be 
coming  identified  with  the  frontier,  but  his  marriage  fixed 
him  in  the  East,  and  led  him  to  the  Hudson  where  he  passed 
the  later  years  of  his  life.  His  early  property  was  wasted  by 
his  step-father,  Silas  Deane,  and  the  creditors  of  his  wife's 
father,  Richard  Bancker,  whom  he  never  saw,  demanded 
payment  of  long-standing  debts  from  him.  Never  possessed 
of  large  means,  he  had  more  than  a  competency,  gained  by 
his  good  management  and  foresight,  and  with  what  he 
had  he  was  generous  to  those  less  fortunate,  and  gen 
erous  to  those  he  loved. 

Few  of  Webb's  own  letters  appear  in  this  volume.  It  is 
known  that  he  wrote  many,  but  he  kept  copies  of  few,  even 
when  important  business  matters  were  involved.  That  his 
family  letters  were  constant  and  interesting  the  former 
volumes  proved;  his  regimental  correspondence  and  re 
ports  contained  all  that  the  requirements  of  service  de 
manded;  his  business  letters  covered  a  wide  range  of 
subjects -- trade,  lotteries,  privateering,  speculation  in 
lands  and  in  public  securities,  and  the  management  of 
properties  of  others;  his  social  and  friendly  letters  were 
numerous,  sympathetic,  and  helpful,  and  are  known  only 
by  the  responses  they  called  out.  The  mere  names  of  his 


PREFACE 

correspondents  whet  the  appetite  of  those  interested  in 
history,  social  and  personal,  and  what  remains  of  the  orig 
inal  mass  awakens  regret  that  the  whole  was  not  preserved 
from  the  chance  that  threatens  every  form  of  written  his 
torical  record. 

Such  a  collection  of  papers  serves  many  useful  purposes, 
however  fragmentary  and  unrelated  they  may  appear.  The 
value  lies  in  the  light  thrown  upon  social  conditions.  A 
New  England  town,  Wethersfield  was  as  a  hundred  like 
places  until  it  becomes  differentiated  by  persons  and  inci 
dents.  Military  service  can  be  described  mechanically 
from  the  book  of  tactics  and  discipline;  but  it  becomes 
instinct  with  life  when  described  by  an  active  participant 
in  the  service,  whether  in  garrison  or  in  the  field.  A  table 
of  figures  will  give  the  fluctuations  in  the  prices  of  public 
securities,  but  only  from  an  investor  who  has  staked  his 
money  on  the  event  can  the  effects  of  the  fluctuations  be 
felt  and  measured.  His  hopes  and  his  fears,  his  calcula 
tions  and  forecasts,  give  life  to  the  dull  figures,  even  though 
they  without  doubt  exaggerate  the  movement.  A  friendly 
letter  affords  a  mention  of  customs  and  manners  too  trivial 
for  the  historian,  yet  essentially  a  part  of  the  daily  life  of 
the  people.  Even  in  the  sorrows  and  tragedies  of  the  in 
dividual,  characters  may  be  drawn  and  traits  studied  as 
no  other  means  could  afford. 

In  no  respect  is  the  change  in  manners  more  marked  than 
in  the  pleasures  in  which  they  indulged.  Lebanon  Springs 
was  a  true  health  resort,  and  not  a  place  where  the  mildly 
ill  offered  an  excuse  for  a  thousand  other  indulgences. 
Horse  riding  and  racing,  card  playing,  a  turtle  dinner 
occasionally,  a  ball  or  assembly,  the  hunting  of  game  and 
the  exchange  of  visits  —  such  were  the  simpler  life  in  a  Con- 


XV111  PREFACE 

necticut  town.  At  New  York  the  social  pleasures  and  the 
range  of  activities  were  greater.  The  differences  caused  by 
the  war  were  soon  forgotten,  and  loyalist  again  took  his 
place  in  business  and  in  society,  claiming  and  receiving  the 
attention  his  worth  and  abilities  could  command.  The 
names  of  the  leaders  in  New  York  ran  back  into  the  history 
of  the  earliest  colonizers,  Dutch  and  English;  they  have 
been  continued  to  the  present  day  and  are  wroven  into  the 
tissue  of  New  York's  later  history.  The  city  soon  forged 
ahead  of  its  rivals  and,  favored  by  situation,  by  the  enter 
prise  of  its  citizens,  and  by  the  tapping  of  the  great  Western 
regions,  became  the  metropolis  it  now  is.  In  this  growth 
Webb  had  but  little  part,  for  his  health,  never  robust, 
obliged  him  to  seek  a  quieter  surrounding.  After  his  sec 
ond  marriage  he  settled  at  Claverack,  New  York,  and 
there  found  a  congenial  circle.  He  took  a  mild  interest 
in  the  tangled  politics  of  the  day,  but  seems  not  to  have 
sought  preferment  for  himself.  Perhaps  the  career  of  a 
member  of  Congress  or  of  the  State  legislature  held  cut 
little  inducement  to  incur  the  partisan  abuse  that  arose 
from  the  contest  between  Hamilton  and  Burr,  the  federalist 
and  the  democratic,  the  "natural"  aristocrat,  and  the  up- 
country  equality-man.  There  is  no  record  of  his  taking  an 
active  part  with  either  side,  though  -all  his  leanings  must 
have  been  with  the  Federalists,  whose  strength  so  largely 
depended  upon  his  old  army  comrades  and  the  men  who 
had  been  prominent  in  civil  life  during  the  years  of  the  war. 
His  family,  his  friends,  and  his  farm,  his  circle  of  social 
and  agricultural  duties  and  pleasures  sufficed  to  keep  him 
occupied,  contented,  and  a  good  citizen.  The  end  came 
in  December,  1807.  WORTHINGTON  CHAUNCEY  FORD. 

Boston,  October,  1912. 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

NOTE v 

PREFACE vii 

1764 
April  3.    RICHARD  NEAVE  AND  SON  TO  RICHARD  BANCKER i 

Sends  invoice  of  goods  shipped.    Parliament  lays  duties  on  merchandise  imported  into 
America,  and  reduces  drawbacks. 

1772 

April  ii.    THOMAS  PALMER  TO  RICHARD  BANCKER i 

Hindrance  to  survey.    Sends  lottery  tickets,  a  form  of  begging. 

1773 

February  10.     FROM  WAT  STEWART 2 

Arrives  at  Gibraltar.    Description  of  the  Rock.     Garrison  and  churches.    War  be 
tween  Dutch  and  Emperor  of  Morocco. 

October  30.     FROM  CHARLES  WHITING 4 

Reproaches  for  not  coming.    Death  of  Mrs.  Meigs.    Requests  for  articles  of  use. 

December  11.     FROM  DEMAUREGNAULT  AND  CUSSON     . 6 

Acknowledgment  of  debt.    Manner  of  payment. 

1774 

January  25.    RICHARD  NEAVE  AND  SON  TO  RICHARD  BANCKER  ....         7 

Sends  deeds  executed  by  Mrs.  Stables.     Should  be  recorded. 

May.    ACT  OF  ASSEMBLY  OF  CONNECTICUT 7 

Giving  authority  to  Silas  Deane  and  Anne  Mix  to  perfect  titles  to  property. 

July  i.     FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH 9 

Statement  of  the  situation  of  accounts  at  Mole  St.  Nicholas.    Price  current. 

July  4.     SILAS  DEANE  TO  WILLIAM  COOPER 10 

Letter  from  the  Connecticut  Committee  of  Correspondence.   The  general  Congress  and 
rumor  that  Gage  would  attend.    Effect  of  his  proclamation.    Plea  for  united  action. 

December  — .  AGREEMENT  FOR  PASSAGE  AND  SERVICE 12 

1775 
March  29.    FROM  JOHN  SIMPSON *3 

Conduct  of  Silas  Deane.    Should  press  for  a  settlement.    Dr.  Johnson  to  be  consulted. 
Disposal  of  his  goods. 

April  5.    FROM  JOHN  SIMPSON 

Has  ordered  his  goods  to  Wethersfield.    Hopes  an  amicable  settlement  of  differences 
with  England. 

April  ii.    FROM  JOHN  SIMPSON ,•'••;',  'c      IS 

Law  dispute  with  Deane.    Asks  for  a  copy  of  his  accounts.    His  claim  to  one-t 

the  estate.   Should  push  the  settlement.   Wishes  his  goods  sold.   Will  remain  m  Boston. 


XX  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

June  8.    FROM  JOHN  SIMPSON 18 

Arranges  for  a  meeting. 

September  13.     FROM  JOHN  SIMPSON 18 

Is  grateful  for  peaches.  As  to  coming  to  Wethersfield  and  his  reception  by  the  people. 
How  are  debts  paid?  Means  of  moving.  Questions  on  accounts.  Stock  of  fresh  pro 
visions.  Proposes  to  remain  till  news  from  England. 

October  21.     FROM  JOHN  SIMPSON 21 

Has  not  received  his  letters.    Wishes  for  fresh  provisions.    Money  is  running  short. 

November  22.    SALE  OF  A  HORSE 22 

1776 
March  21.    SAMUEL  STRINGER  TO  WALTER  V.  WEMPLE 23 

Howe  to  leave  Boston.    Expects  to  take  the  field  soon. 

October  14.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 23 

Cloth  for  an  uniform.  Asks  good  treatment  for  certain  loyalists.  Release  could  work 
no  injury. 

November  n.     FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH 26 

Will  attend  to  his  affairs.  Has  lost  a  horse.  Great  waste  in  military  stores.  Measures 
for  his  protection.  Girls  are  articles  of  stores. 

1777 

January  18.     FROM  THOMAS  MIFFLIN 27 

Order  for  scarlet  clothing  for  his  regiment. 

March  4.     FROM  THOMAS  MUMFORD 28 

Recommends  his  son,  Giles,  for  an  appointment.     Places  him  in  his  care. 

April  21.    JAMES  BOWDOIN  TO  GEORGE  WASHINGTON 29 

On  losses  sustained  by  Temple.    Asks  that  consideration  be  given  to  his  claims. 

June  16.    ENLISTMENT  RECEIPT 30 

June  28.    FROM  ZABDIEL  ROGERS 30 

Articles  wanted  sent  by  team.    List  and  manner  of  settlement. 

July  15.    SERVICE  OF  JOHN  PALSGRAVE  WYLLYS 31 

July  26.     To  MRS.  SIMPSON 32 

Lieut.  Col.  Livingston  goes  to  New  York. 

November  i.     RECEIPT  FOR  A  HORSE 32 

November  6.     FROM  JONATHAN  HASTINGS,  JR 33 

Letterjor  a  lady.     Should  be  more  punctual. 

November  9.     FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH  ..." 33 

Will  give  letter  for  letter.     Compliments  from  a  lady.     Question  as  to  writer. 

December  14.    JOHN  ELY  TO  MUMFORD  AND  SHAW 34 

Gives  an  account  of  his  capture.    Colonel  Webb  nearly  drowned.    Exchange  proposed. 

December  14.    JABEZ  HUNTINGTON  TO  GOVERNOR  TRUMBULL 35 

Parsons  in  danger  on  Long  Island.  Aid  sent  to  him.  Capture  of  Webb  and  Ely.  Es 
cape  of  Ebenezer  Huntington. 

December  19.    JABEZ  HUNTINGTON  TO  GOVERNOR  TRUMBULL 36 

Recommends  Colonel  Webb.    Exchanges  suggested  for  Webb  and  Ely. 

1778 

January  8.  FROM  NATHAN  BLODGET 37 

Wishes  a  receipt  for  clothing  issued  on  his  order. 


CONTENTS  Xxi 

PAGE 

January  9.    JOSEPH  BARTON  TO  JOSEPH  WEBB 38 

Regrets  offense  given  to  governor  by  his  letter. 
February  6.     FROM  JOHN  HART 38 

Settlement  of  recruiting  accounts. 

February  18.    THOMAS  MUMFORD  TO  GOVERNOR  TRUMBULL 39 

Ely's  exchange  for  Delancey. 

February  27.     FROM  TERENCE  MCDERMOTT 40 

Wishes  him  to  call. 
February  28.     FROM  MRS.  SIMPSON 41 

Letter  of  encouragement.     Home  news. 

February  28.     FROM  MEHITABEL  WEBB 42 

Auxiety  for  his  exchange.    The  Sherbrookes.    Home  gossip.    Messages  to  friends. 

March  i.    FROM  ELISHA  HOPKINS 44 

Wishes  to  receive  what  was  sent  to  him  by  friends.    Mumford's  gift.   Riley's  situation. 

March  — .     FROM  ANN  GRANT 45 

Regrets  for  his  not  coming.     Messages. 

March  — .     FROM  ANN  GRANT 45 

Not  mentioned  in  letter.     Friends  to  tea.    Letters  to  be  burned. 

March  8.     FROM:  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD 46 

Encloses  a  bill  for  supplies. 

March  17.     FROM  CHRISTOPHER  MILLER 47 

Sends  newspapers.    General  Lee  to  go  out,  with  Loring  and  Williams. 

March  2 1.     FROM  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD 47 

Prevented  from  seeing  him,  and  reasons  for  not  coming. 

March  22.     FROM  MRS.  SIMPSON 49 

Return  of  John  Webb.     Messages  to  friends. 

March  22.     FROM  SYLVESTER  BERING 

Wishes  to  hear  from  him. 

March  23.    FROM  THOMAS  FANNING 

Condoles  with  him  on  his  captivity.    Prospect  of  a  general  exchange.    Some  unsettled 
accounts.     Postscript  by  Trumbull. 

April  7.    JOSEPH  WEBB  TO  GOVERNOR  TRUMBULL 

Recommendation  for  Luke  Fortune.     The  deserts  of   Mrs.  Deming.     Sons  of  Mrs. 
Winthrop.     Colonel  Delancey's  good  behavior. 

April  12.     FROM  L.  CONNELL 

Is  ordered  to  New  York. 

April  12.     FROM  NATHAN  FRINK 

Sends  papers  for  Mrs.  Van  Home. 

April  20.    FROM  NATHAN  FRINK 

Importance  of  his  papers. 

April  29.     FROM  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD     .    .    . 

An  account.     Wine  and  horses. 

April  30.     FROM  MRS.  SIMPSON 

His  health  on  the  island.    Visit  from  Dr.  Tudor.    Movements  of  friends. 

May  2.     FROM  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD 

Sends  some  reading.    The  Sherbrookes. 

May  5.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB •    •    • 

Ensign  Green  to  go  to  New  York.    Chagrined  that  no  parole  is  granted.    Carte 

off.  , 

May  7.    FROM  MRS.  SIMPSON 

Message  by  Mr.  Frink.    Visits  and  departures  of  friends.    Her  painful  situatio 


XX11  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

May  ii.     FROM  NATHAN  FRINK 61 

His  business  with  Mrs.  Van  Home.    Asks  for  his  influence  with  her. 

May  — .    FROM  E.  V.  EDWARDS 62 

Has  seen  Jack  at  Morristown.    Courtesy  from  Colonel  White.    Messages. 

May  14.    PAROLE  OF  COLONEL  WEBB 63 

May  16.     FROM  J.  GREEN 64 

Some  papers  sent  in.    Parsons'  comments  prevent  others. 

May  16.     FROM  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD 64 

Sends  money. 

May  25.    FROM  SARAH  SIMPSON 65 

Her  health.    Wishes  for  his  exchange.     Family  matters. 

May  27.    FROM  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD 65 

Mrs.  Hayes  wishes  to  see  him.    Has  invested  in  the  lottery. 

June  — .    FROM  JOSEPH  FRENCH 66 

Mrs.  Van  Home's  papers. 

June  — .    FROM  THOMAS  CHAPMAN 67 

Apology  for  failing  to  keep  an  engagement.    Renews  it. 

June  2.    FROM  JOSEPH  CHEW 67 

Wishes  to  see  him.     Advances  to  prisoners. 

June  8.    FROM  NATHAN  FRINK,  JR 68 

Will  send  a  horse.    Mrs.  Van  Home's  business.     Full  statement  of  the  case. 

June  12.    To  BARNABAS  DEANE 71 

Long  been  in  hope  of  exchange  or  release  on  parole.    Dr.  Tudor  can  give  list  of  cap 
tured  vessels.    Message  to  Silas  Deane. 

June  21.    FROM  SARAH  SIMPSON 72 

Friends  expect  his  return.    Has  a  fine  daughter.    News  of  the  family. 

June  22.     FROM  HETTY  WEBB 73 

Every  one  looks  for  his  speedy  release. 

June  — .    BILL  OF  PERRY,  HAYES  &  SHERBROOKE 74 

July  4.    FROM  JOHN  ATKINSON 74 

Remittance  received.     Mountford  Brown.     Will  visit  him. 

July  17.    FROM  JAMES  MORRIS 75 

Reasons  for  delay  in  return  of  pamphlets.    His  service  in  the  hospital.    Has  received 
no  money,  and  is  in  need.    Desires  a  parole. 

September  9.    JACOB  SEBOR  TO  MILES  SHERBROOKE 77 

Order  to  pay. 

October  6.    FROM  BENJAMIN  TALLMADGE 77 

Sends  some  money  for  Lieut.  Riley. 

October  17.     FROM  LEWIS  PINTARD 78 

To  obtain  an  order  from  Lefferts. 

October  26.     FROM  WILLIAM  AXTELL 78 

\Vill  give  his  wish  to  Governor  Try  on. 

November  — .     FROM  OLIVER  SMITH 79 

Sets  out  for  Boston.    Desires  his  commands. 

December  3.     FROM  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD 79 

Captain  Chapman's  books.    Webb  to  have  use  of  them. 

December  5.    FROM  HENRY  VAN  DYCK 80 

Will  not  be  able  to  visit  him.    Mrs.  Van  Home's  deeds.    Directions  for  sending. 

December  n.    JOHN  JONES  TO  SARAH  BANCKER     81 

Her  brother's  petition  to  Congress. 


CONTENTS 


XX111 


December  12.     FROM  HENRY  VAN  DYCK 

Was  prevented  by  indisposition  from  seeing  him!    Parole  about  to  expire'    Wishes  to 
render  him  all  possible  service.     A  general  exchange  in  prospect 

December  16.     FROM  JOHN  WINSLOW g,. 

The  British  Commander  in  Chief  allows  him  to  rece'ive  hay  and  oats' from' his  brother. 
December  22.     FROM  LEWIS  PINTARD g. 

Distribution  of  money  among  the  prisoners. 
December  31.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 

Why  he  has  sent  in  no  hay  or  oats.    Surprised  'that  he 'is  not  allowed  to  come  out 

Loves  gratitude.    Bills  with  Sherbrooke.    Is  not  permitted  to  come  to  New  York.     ' 

1779 

— .    ELISHA  HOPKINS  TO  MRS.  BANCKER 

Sends  letter  and  messages. 
January  — .     SALE  OF  A  HORSE g7 

January  8.     FROM  NATHAN  FRINK 

Letter  partly  in  cipher. 
January  9.     FROM  JAMES  KEENS gg 

Sends  note  from  Commissary  Loring.     Quarters  for  returning  officers. 

January  16.  HENRY  REMSEN  TO  SARAH  BANCKER 89 

Needs  bedding  and  other  articles.  Desires  to  exchange  cloths  for  them. 

January  21.  FROM  ELIHU  HALL oo 

Shoe  and  knee  buckles  and  messages. 

January  — .     CAMFIELD'S  ACCOUNT oo 

January  26.     FROM  JACOB  SEBOR 9I 

Asks  about  acceptance  of  bills. 


— .    FROM  NATHANAEL  GREENE 01 

Mrs.  Greene  will  accompany  him. 

February  — .     FROM  S.  NICOLL 92 

Sends  compliments  and  wishes  for  a  general  exchange. 
February  — .     FROM  GEORGE  BAYLOR     ...  92 

Webb  will  go  to  Philadelphia. 

February  3.     RECEIPT  FOR  FLOUR 92 

February  3.     BILL  FOR  WINE 93 

February  4.     FROM  THOMAS  MUMFORD 93 

His  exchange  for  prisoner  taken  by  a  privateer.    Remanding  of  prisoners  to  New  York. 
Why  Giles  Mumford  does  not  return.     Sends  money.     Death  of  Mrs.  Mumford. 

February  6.     FROM  JOHN  CHESTER 94 

Need  of  his  testimony  in  the  Johnson  suit. 

February  10.    BILL  OF  BERRY  AND  ROGERS 95 

February  12.     FROM  NATHAN  FRINK 96 

Hay  and  oats  to  be  sent  in.    His  exchange  for  prisoners  taken  on  sea. 

February  18.     FROM  ROYAL  FLINT 97 

Sends  copy  of  deposition. 

February  20.     FROM  WILLIAM  S.  LIVINGSTON 97 

Missed  him  on  the  road.     Intends  to  go  to  Rhode  Island. 

March  i.    JACOBUS  VAN  ZANDT  TO  SARAH  BANCKER 98 

As  to  a  pass  for  New  York.     The  governor  will  not  issue  one. 

March  2.     FROM  JAMES  HERON "...       99 

On  a  wretched  horse.     Introduces  Colonel  Butler. 


XXIV  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

March  3.    FROM  JOHN  SWAN 99 

Chides  him  for  not  writing.    Amusements  at  Flatbush.    Pass  for  Mrs.  Bambridge. 

The  exchange. 

March  3.    A  COMMERCIAL  VENTURE 100 

March  4.     FROM  MRS.  DELANCEY 102 

Send  letters  open  for  his  inspection  and  delivery. 

March  6.     FROM  JEREMIAH  WADS  WORTH 102 

Desires  some  articles  from  New  York.    Hopes  for  his  exchange. 

March  15.    FROM  WILLIAM  BLODGET 103 

Invitations  to  a  hop. 

March  15.    FROM  CATHERINE  W.  LIVINGSTON 103 

Sends  letter  for  her  uncle  Clarkson. 

March  20.     FROM  OTHO  H.  WILLIAMS 104 

Sends  messages  to  prisoners  on  Long  Island. 

March  24.    To  B.  MCKENZIE 105 

Is  in  need  of  money. 

March  30.     FROM  JOHN  WILEY 106 

Order  for  money. 

March  31.     FROM  NATHANIEL  RAMSEY 106 

A  flag  and  parole.     Sends  pamphlets  and  wishes  wine. 

April  16.     FROM  WILLIAM  AXTELL 107 

Wishes  a  list  of  prisoners  on  parole. 
April  20.     FROM  OTHO  H.  WILLIAMS 107 

The  situation  on  the  North  Branch  of  Rariton. 

April  — .     FROM  WILLIAM  THOMPSON 108 

Could  not  get  to  Flatbush.    Letters  for  Philadelphia.    Swan  should  have  been  sent  for 
money. 

— •.    TWELVE'S  LETTER      108 

April  23.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 109 

Sends  newspapers.    Disappointed  that  he  has  not  come  out.    The  journey  with  the 
Apthorpes.     Seeds  desired.     Prisoners  brought  to  Boston. 

April  — .    FROM  AQUILA  GILES in 

Spy  glasses  and  pistols.     Magaw's  marriage. 

April  27.    FROM  JAMES  KEENS in 

Loring  and  the  matter  of  exchanges. 

May  2.     FROM  JAMES  KEENS 112 

Is  going  to  Elizabethtown.     Commissions. 

May  5.     FROM  RICHARD  SWANWICK 113 

Wishes  to  obtain  permission  to  see  his  wife.    Has  obtained  some  porter. 

May  ii.     FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY 114 

Exchanges  and  paroles.     Wishes  a  horse. 

May  12.     FROM  WILLIAM  THOMPSON 115 

Paroles  arranged.     Notice  to  Magaw. 

May  12.     FROM  JOSHUA  LORING 115 

Parole  is  granted  and  he  will  come  to  New  York. 

May  28.     FROM  BENJAMIN  BROWN 116 

Bundle  left  for  him  at  Lord  Sterling's  quarters. 

June — .     FROM  MRS.  G.  APTHORPE 116 

Sends  letter  to  Major  Bayard. 

June — .    FROM  JOHN  BEATTY 117 

Cannot  breakfast  with  him. 


CONTENTS  XXV 

PAGE 

June  17.     FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY      ny 

Laments  that  he  is  not  exchanged.    Has  delivered  messages.    Social  news  of  Flatbush. 
June  20.  -  FROM  SARAH  BARRELL ng 

News  from  Boston.     Wishes  him  to  come  there. 

June — .     FROM  CAPTAIN  BEDLOW up 

Has  been  ill. 

Julys.    JOHN  WITHERSPOON  TO  UDNEY  HAY       119 

As  to  the  care  of  a  horse. 

July  31.    JOSHUA  LORING  TO  LIEUT.  COL.  SIMCOE 120 

Papers  to  be  sent  by  a  flag  to  the  outposts. 

July — .     FROM  GEORGE  DRAPER I2i 

Order  for  corduroy. 

August  ii.     FROM  THOMAS  MUMFORD 121 

Hopes  for  his  exchange.    His  regiment  needs  him.      Is  refitting  the  Hancock. 

August  16.     FROM  FREDERICK  JAY 122 

Sends  letters  for  New  York. 

August  24.     A  CLUB  DINNER 123 

September — .     FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY 124 

Conduct  at  Flatbush.    Will  form  a  mess  and  live  better.     Messages. 

October  15.     FROM  SILAS  DEANE 125 

Disappointed  in  not  seeing  him.    \Vishes  to  hear  from  him. 
November  — .     FROM  JOHN  BEATTY 126 

Cannot  wait  upon  him.     Advice  for  his  conduct  on  the  certificate. 

November  i.     FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL 127 

Successful  privateers.     Offers  a  share  in  one.    Foolish  Britain  paying  for  her  folly. 
Promises  wine. 

November  13.     FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY 128 

Regrets  not  getting  necessaries.     Condemned  to  longer  stay  as  prisoner. 

December  24.     FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH 128 

The  letter  for  Miss  Bancker.     Is  buried  in  business. 

1780 

January  23.     FROM  SAMUEL  ALLEYNE  OTIS 129 

Wishes  for  an  agreeable  journey. 
January  26.     FROM  NATHAN  BEERS 129 

Calls  for  accounts  of  clothing. 

January  30.     FROM  NEHEMIAH  HUBBARD    .    .  13° 

Letters  and  horses. 
February — .     To  THOMAS  MUMFORD 13 1 

Expected  to  see  him.    His  brother's  debt.    Offers  a  phaeton. 
February  13.     FROM  THOMAS  MUMFORD i32 

Declines  the  phaeton.    No  legal  right  to  call  for  Captain  Webb's  debt. 
February  26.     FROM  JAMES  WATSON J32 

Balancing  his  account.     Certificate  for  powder. 
February  29.     FROM  JOHN  RICE 

Will  deliver  letter  to  Major  Harnage. 
March  7.     FROM  ELISHA  HOPKINS •    •     X34 

Wishes  supplies  to  discharge  private  debts.     Messages  from  Flatb 

March  20.     FROM  GEORGE  OLCOTT  . 

Surgical  instruments  needed. 


XXVI  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

March  26.    FROM  JOHN  CARTER 135 

Wfshes  to  obtain  permission  to  go  to  New  York. 

March  29.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 136 

Social  activity  at  Wethersfield.    News  of  the  privateers. 

March  — .     FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON 137 

Cannot  come  to  tea  with  the  ladies.     Business  too  exacting. 

April  — -.     FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON 138 

Sends  ball  but  no  powder.    Regrets  not  seeing  the  Lott  family.     A  court  martial  de 
tains  him. 

April  18.     FROM  GEORGE  OLNEY 139 

Mrs.  Greene's  carriage  not  available.     Offers  his  own. 

May  — .     FROM  WALTER  STEWART 139 

Herring  received.     May  be  unable  to  visit  the  Rariton. 

June  — .    FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB      140 

As  to  Surinam  accounts.     Captures  by  the  Experiment. 

June  — .     FROM  TITUS  HOSMER 140 

Sends  act  of  Assembly  on  Webb's  battalion. 

[June  — .]    FROM  WILLIAM  HEATH 141 

Advice  to  go  northward. 

July  17.    FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH 141 

Recommending  some  for  a  passage  to  Newport. 

July  28.     FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY 142 

Is  anxiously  awaiting  a  horse.   All  idea  of  an  exchange  at  an  end.   Inattention  of  the 
public. 

August  i.     FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY 142 

Repeats  his  request  for  a  horse.     Public  neglect  of  the  prisoners. 
August  6.     FROM  LEWIS  MORRIS 143 

Is  happy  to  learn  of  his  safe  arrival.     No  exchange  as  yet.    News  of  Miss  Bancker. 
Leaving  of  the  Temples. 

August  12.    FROM  JOHN  HART 145 

Settling  the  clothing  account. 

August  21.    THOMAS  MONCRIEFFE  TO  MRS.  BANCKER 146 

Has  obtained  a  permit  for  her  to  come  to  New  York.    Payment  of  her  claims. 

August  31.    FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL 146 

Disappointed  not  to  receive  a  visit.    Hopes  to  see  him  later. 

December  17.    FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY  AND  ELISHA  HOPKINS    ....     147 

Are  released  from  Long  Island. 

December  24.     FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY 148 

Purchase  of  canteens.    Question  of  delivery. 

1781 

January  24.     FROM  ELISHA  HOPKINS 149 

Impossible  to  obey  order  to  rejoin  his  regiment.    Must  resign  or  be  ruined. 

February  19.    FROM  SAMUEL  HOLDEN  PARSONS 150 

Order  to  pursue  deserters. 

February  26.    FROM  ASHBEL  RILEY 150 

Congratulations  on  exchange  of  servitude.    Is  himself  a  prisoner  on  parole.    Compli 
ments. 

March  2.    FROM  MOSES  HAZEN 151 

Parsons'  return.    Will  not  go  to  Philadelphia  as  proposed. 

March  4.    FROM  JOHN  COCHRAN 151 

Has  not  written  to  Governor  for  pass.     Mrs.  Bancker's  situation. 


CONTENTS 


XXV11 


March  17.    FROM  PETER  ROBERTSON  . 

Fanning  to  be  sent  on.    Wishes  a  drummer  and  fifer.  ' 
March  19.     FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL     . 

^newrSeeSired3  haPPinCSS  t0  ^    As  'to's^ing'th'e  officer's. 
March  28.    FROM  JOHN  HARTE 

As  to  settling  accounts. 

March  28.     FROM  MANNING  MERRILL 

erS  **  ^^  "^  ™  person'    Has  some*  good  wine.  'A'  card'  game  in 


April  29.     FROM  ISRAEL  STRONG  ........ 

Is  not  in  his  power  to  join  his  regiment. 

May  23.    FROM  RALPH  POMEROY     ...... 

Cannot  obtain  horses  without  force  or  money. 

May  28.    FROM  SAMUEL  LOUDON     .    .    . 

Location  of  letters  for  him. 

May  30.    FROM  JOHN  KEESE    ........  I  -8 

Promises  assistance  with  teams  and  forage.    Orders  issued.' 

May  31.    FROM  TEUNIS  BOGERT  ....... 

Prospect  of  getting  a  two-horse  wagon. 

June  i.    FROM  JOHN  DURKEE   ..............  I^0 

On  supplying  a  captain. 

June  7.     FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY    ...........  j60 

Strong  wishes  his  discharge.     Sends  some  shrub. 
June  27.     COURT  MARTIAL     ..................  I()I 

July  3.     FROM  JEREMIAH  WADS  WORTH    .........    ...  162 

Application  for  Mrs.  Bancker  to  go  to  New  York. 

July  13.     COURT  MARTIAL  .....................     j63 

August  7.     COURT  MARTIAL  ....................     !64 

August  12.    FROM  DAVID  PARSONS  .................     ^5 

Is  now  at  West  Point.     Sends  some  money. 

August  18.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB     .................     ^5 

Is  building  a  barn.     Barrell's  prize.     Visits  planned.     Sends  papers. 
August  22.     FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON    .............     166 

Sends  articles  for  exchange.     Fifer  wanted.    Are  about  to  march. 
August  28.     FROM  EDWTARD  BULKLEY  ................     167 

Recruiting.     Camp  gossip. 

September  24.     FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY    .    ......  "  .......     168 

Sends  letters.    Hears  Webb  goes  to  Connecticut.    News  from  Wethersfield.    Officers 
on  leave. 

November  13.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB    ................     169 

Would  meet  him,  but  is  prevented.    The  house  ready.    Deane's  plans. 

November  13.     FROM  WILLIAM  CONSTABLE    .............     170 

Prices  in  the  Havanna.     Freights  to  Cadiz  and  Amsterdam. 

November  14.     FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY    ..............     171 

Uniform  of  the  regiment.    Impatient  for  winter  quarters. 

November  28.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB    .................     172 

Sympathy  for  his  loss. 

December  i.     FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY  ...............     173 

On  death  of  Mrs.  Webb.    All  horses  ordered  to  be  returned.    Regimental  matters. 


XXV111  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

December  4.    FROM  JOHN  DUYCKINCK 175 

On  death  of  Mrs.  Webb. 

December  4.    JOHN  DUYCKINCK  TO  SARAH  BANCKER 176 

Sympathy  for  death  of  daughter. 

December  10.     FROM  JOHN  PALSGRAVE  WYLLYS 177 

Has  reached  the  Highlands.    Regimental  affairs.     Soldiers  uneasy. 

December  24.     FROM  JOHN  CHEVENARD 178 

Asks  a  favor  for  one  in  his  regiment.     Reasons  for  the  request. 

December  27.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 179 

Regrets  for  Mrs  Webb. 

December  31.    FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON 180 

Payment  of  a  wager. 

1782 

January  10.     GENERAL  ORDERS  ON  LEAVE  OF  ABSENCE  TO  OFFICERS    .     180 

February  3.     FROM  STEPHEN  BETTS 182 

Inclosing  order  on  furloughs. 

February  3.     FROM  ELISHA  HOPKINS 182 

Progress  in  making  clothing.    No  field  officer  with  regiment.    Russell's  wages.    His 
baggage.     Is  entitled  to  a  furlough. 

February  15.     FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON 184 

Sends  packet.     Presence  of  Sergeant  Hosmer  necessary. 
February  20.     FROM  ISRAEL  STRONG 185 

Prevented  from  returning.     Returns  his  commission. 

March  2.     FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON 185 

Appointments  made.     Regimental  matters. 

March  4.     FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON 186 

Discharge  of  Dr.  West.    Appointments  recommended. 

March  20.     GULIAN  VERPLANCK  TO  MRS.  BANCKER 187 

Applies  for  payment  of  bond. 

March  28.    JOHN  DUYCKINCK  TO  MRS.  BANCKER 188 

Family  news.    Condition  and  work  of  the  mills.    High  taxes  and  low  priced  grain. 
Repairs  needed. 

April  i.    LEVINUS  CLARKSON  TO  JOSEPH  WEBB 190 

Wants  a  price  current.    A  shipping  venture  to  Havanna.    Directions  to  be  followed. 

April  2.    JOHN  NELSON  TO  JOSEPH  WEBB 191 

As  to  the  Havanna  venture. 

April  7.     FROM  HARRIET  WEBB 192 

Time  of  parting  has  come.    Should  not  lament  the  lost  ones. 

April  21.    FROM  SARAH  BANCKER 194 

Tea  and  articles  to  be  sent.    Dr.  Cutting's  verses  on  her  daughter.    Advises  resigna 
tion.     Wethersfield's  happenings. 

April  23.     COURT  MARTIAL 196 

May  — .     FROM  WILLIAM  NORTH 197 

Messages  and  newspapers. 
May  2.    To  ABRAHAM  OGDEN 198 

Asks  about  a  debt  due  Mrs.  Bancker. 

May  7.    JOHN  DUYCKINCK  TO  MRS.  BANCKER 199 

Affairs  at  the  mills.    Advises  to  sell  them.    Is  to  put  up  a  distillery.    Family  news. 

May  9.    FROM  SARAH  BANCKER 200 

Has  written  by  every  good  opportunity.    As  to  selling  the  mills.    Movements  of  the 
family  and  friends.    Her  own  feelings.     Deane  remains.    Death  of  Barrell's  child. 


CONTENTS 

May  23.     FROM  WILLIAM  HEATH 

Baron  Steuben  wishes  to  see  him,  or  an  officer  of  the  Connecticut  Line. 
June  3.     FROM  JOHN  PALSGRAVE  WYLLYS 203 

Duty  much  easier  than  had  been  imagined.    Men  grow  sick  fast.    Meeting  with  some 

refugees. 

June  3.     FROM  SARAH  BANCKER 20, 

Cutting's  verses  on  Mrs.  Webb.     Health  not  so  good.     Ashmun's  debt.     Family 

messages. 

June  5.     FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON 20  < 

No  newspapers.    Two  likely  lads  mustered  out. 

June  15.     FROM  SARAH  BANCKER 205 

Claim  of  Christopher  Bancker.    The  question  of  the  mills.    Ogden's  ignorance  of  busi 
ness.     Messages. 

June  18.     FROM  SARAH  BARRELL 207 

Losses  compared.    Disappointed  in  his  not  visiting  them.    Time  Will  soften  sorrow. 
Sisterly  messages. 

June  20.     FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON 209 

Bad  character  of  recruits.    Defects  in  musters.    Appointments  to  rank  of  ensign. 
Promotions.    Party  for  Boston.    Expectation  as  to  recruits.    The  bounty  and  women. 

June  27.     FROM  THOMAS  FREDERICK  JACKSON 212 

Ground  assigned  for  the  Connecticut  Line's  camp. 

June  29.     FROM  WILLIAM  HEATH 213 

Certificates  of  discharge. 

July  5.     FROM  SARAH  BANCKER 213 

Remembrance  of  her  daughter.    Has  seen  Dr.  Cutting's  verses.    Some  thoughts  on  sor 
row.    Directions  on  business  matters.    Soldiers'  notes. 

July  14.     FROM  ROBERT  MAGAW 215 

Requests  payment  of  an  order. 

July  21.     FROM  SARAH  BANCKER 216 

Expects  to  see  him  at  Wethersfield.     Captain  Webb's  visit. 

August  26.     FROM  SARAH  BANCKER     217 

Asks  care  for  her  letters.    Seizure  of  goods  on  Joseph  Webb's  vessel.    Description  of 
some  of  the  merchandise. 

August  20.     FROM  THOMAS  COGSWELL 218 

Introducing  William  Skeels. 

August  31.     FROM  EDWARD  HAND 219 

Orders  for  the  Light  Infantry.    Repair  of  the  road. 

September  2.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 219 

Joseph's  misfortune.     Wishes  an  active  campaign  or  peace.    Accounts  to  be  settled. 

September  7.     FROM  DAVID  SMITH ....221 

Mansfield's  attempt  to  take  prisoners.     Intelligence  from  New  York. 

September  29.     GULIAN  VERPLANCK  TO  MRS.  BANCKER  221 

Asks  for  some  assistance  in  his  need. 

September  29.     FROM  JOHN  DUYCKINCK 

Prevented  from  making  a  visit.     Business  of  the  mills  and  distillery.    Messages. 

Octobers.     FROM  SARAH  BANCKER 

British  leaving  New  York.    Wishes  him  to  protect  her  friends  there. 

October  7.     FROM  SARAH  BANCKER 224 

The  Verplanck  matter.    Waiting's  debt.    Affliction  her  portion  in  life. 

October  9.     FROM  SARAH  BANCKER 

Settlement  of  the  Verplanck  bond.    Prospects  of  obtaining  the  money. 


XXX  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

October  18.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 227 

Articles  sent  and  prices.    Want  of  money.     Sale  of  a  horse. 

October  27.     FROM  SARAH  BANCKER 228 

Forage  and  a  colt.    Conduct  of  Christopher  Bancker.    His  grandfather's  estate.     Re 
flections  on  the  day.     Sally  Chester's  marriage. 

November  i.     FROM  HEMAN  SWIFT 230 

Arrangement  of  grades  to  be  made. 

November  6.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 231 

French  army  have  left  Hartford.     Family  supplies. 

November  1 6.    FROM  GERARD  G.  BEEKMAN 232 

Social. 

November  19.    FROM  SARAH  BANCKER 232 

Grieving  for  her  daughter.    To  stand  godmother  to  Mrs.  Gary's  child.    Wood  from  the 
home  lot.     Flour  difficult  to  get. 

November  19.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 234 

Has  difficulty  with  his  eyes.     Care  of  family.    Prices  of  flour  and  beef. 

November  25.     FROM  FRANCES  CARREY 235 

Asks  permit  to  visit  home  at  Peekskill. 

December  9.     FROM  NEHEMIAH  HUBBARD 235 

No  crackers  on  hand,  and  no  superfine  flour  to  be  had. 

December  ii.     FROM  DAVID  SMITH 236 

Leave  of  absence. 

December  12.    FROM  HANNAH  BIRDSALL 236 

Sends  balance  of  tea. 
December  19.     ON  UNIFORM 237 

December  27.     FROM  SARAH  BANCKER 237 

Expects  to  see  him  shortly.    Hears  he  is  ill.    Want  of  snow. 

December  29.     FROM  GERARDUS  G.  BEEKMAN,  JR 238 

Social  note. 

December  31.     FROM  RICHARD  PLATT 239 

Dispute  over  use  of  a  boat.    Asks  for  a  conclusive  answer. 

December  31.     To  RICHARD  PLATT 240 

Explains  his  position  on  the  boat.    Has  been  in  constant  use.    Will  soon  be  at  his 
service. 

1783 

January  — .     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 241 

Sends  sturgeon  for  General  Washington.    Advice  on  serving  it. 

February  21.     FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL • 242 

Illness  of  wife.     Congratulations  on  peace. 

February  24.     GENERAL  ORDERS 242 

March  16.    ABRAHAM  BANCKER  TO  MRS.  BANCKER 243 

Calamities  of  war  prevented  communication.    Christopher's  family.    Unruly  domes 
tics.    Wishes  to  hear  from  her. 

April  16.    MEMORIAL  OF  CORPORALS 245 

April  25.    FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 247 

Mrs.  Bancker  going  to  New  York.     Sending  to  Headquarters. 

April  29.    FROM  WILLIAM  NORTH 247 

Baron  Steuben  and  John  Webb. 

May  — .     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 248 

Many  commissions  to  be  filled  in  New  York.    Supplies  for  Sheldon's  regiment. 


CONTENTS  XXxi 

May  9.     FROM  MARY  DUYCKINCK 

News  from  Wethersfield. 

June  8.     FROM  HENRY  JACKSON    .    . 

Arms  on  furlough. 

July  7.     FROM  STACY  HEPBURN 
Seagrove's  bill  protested. 

October — .     FROM  WILLIAM  STEPHENS  SMITH 2<>i 

A  social  meeting  and  business  opportunity. 

November  2.     To  JOSEPH  BARRELL 2^2 

Directions  for  mourning  rings.     Sends  some  old  gold. 
November  13.     FROM  JESSE  DEANE     .    .  2r, 

Excuses  and  directions. 

November  17.     FROM  JEDIDIAH  HUNTINGTON 
As  to  Dr.  Holmes. 

November  24.     FROM  SIMEON  DEANE 254 

Must  leave  for  the  south.     Friendly  messages. 

December  22.     FROM  HECTOR  ST.  JOHN 254 

Names  of  Frenchmen  to  be  noticed. 

1784 

September  14.     FROM  JOSIAH  WATSON 255 

Settlement  of  BarrelPs  account. 

October  4.     FROM  CHRISTOPHER  BANCKER     256 

Asks  legacy  for  his  wife  under  will  of  William  Smith. 
November  10.     A.  M.  DEPEYSTER  TO  MRS.  BANCKER 257 

Asks  settlement  of  claim  for  legal  services. 

.    MEMORANDUM  or  SERVICE 257 

1785 
January  — .    FROM  WINTHROP  SARGENT 258 

Regrets  not  being  able  to  add  to  his  pleasure. 

February  8.     FROM  HENRY  REMSEN 258 

Wishes  to  consult  with  him.     Suggests  a  place  of  meeting. 

February  18.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 259 

On  Silas  Deane. 
February  26.    JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH  TO  HENRY  KNOX 260 

Office  of  Secretary  at  War.     Recommends  Webb  for  second  place. 
March  13.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 261 

Death  of  Mrs.  Bancker.    Dr.  Johnson  to  be  consulted  on  property.    Want  of  money. 

Troubled  by  debts. 
March  13.     FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH 263 

Knox  will  accept.    Has  no  money  available  to  lend.    Sale  of  securities. 

March  17.     FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL     2^4 

Death  of  Mrs.  Bancker.    Directions  for  sending  his  horses. 

March  20.     FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH 

Attempts  to  borrow  money  for  his  brother. 

April  ii.    FROM  SARAH  BARRELL 

On  death  of  Mrs.  Bancker.    New  York  too  gay.    Mrs.  Graham. 

May  30.    MARIA  H.  STABLES  TO  SARAH  BANCKER  .    . 

Has  drawn  bills  on  her  for  interest  and  arrears. 


XXX11  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

June  i.     FROM  WINTHROP  SARGENT 269 

Introduces  young  Sargent. 

June  6.    LANDS  NEAR  CROWN  POINT 269 

June  27.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 270 

Several  letters  owing.     Simpson's  demands.    Jack  proposes  to  visit  Quebec. 

July  5.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 272 

Wishes  to  hear  from  him.    An  adventure  to  Quebec.    Health  of  Mrs.  Webb.    His 
prospects. 

July  8.     FROM  RICHARD  GARY,  JR 273 

Will  embark  for  New  York  when  crop  is  finished. 

August  10.     FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON 273 

Is  unable  to  pay  what  he  owes. 

August  28.     FROM  DOMINIQUE  DEBARTZCHY 274 

Excuses  and  compliments. 

October  3.     FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN,  JR 274 

Business  dull.    Thinks  of  going  to  the  Carolinas  or  Jamaica.    Economy  on  postage. 
October  3.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 275 

Return  from  Quebec.     Goes  to  Salisbury.    WTants  a  pointer  dog. 
October  17.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 276 

Came  as  far  as  Horseneck,  but  unable  to  see  him.     Messages. 

October  24.     FROM  JOHN  DUYCKINCK 277 

Terms  on  which  he  will  take  the  mills.    Is  looking  elsewhere.    Their  value.    Will  care 
for  his  interest.    Flour  accounts. 

1786 

January  — .    FROM  JOHN  LIVINGSTON 279 

Invitation  to  dinner. 
January  i.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 280 

Complaint  by  Major  Bulkley.     Wants  to  fill  his  tanyards.    Commissions  to  be  per 
formed. 

January  9.    JOSEPH  WEBB  TO  JOHN  WEBB 281 

What  are  the  rumors  he  speaks  of?  Need  of  obtaining  hides. 

January  30.     SARAH  WICKHAM  TO  MRS.  MORRIS 282 

Wishes  to  use  her  sleigh. 

February  — .     FROM  WILLIAM  WICKHAM 283 

Ticket  for  the  Assembly. 

March  3.    AN  INVITATION 283 

March  — .     FROM  NATHANIEL  SHALER 284 

An  excursion  to  the  island. 

March  12.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 284 

Prices  of  public  securities.    His  unhappy  situation.    Difficulties  met.    Salmon.    Mar 
riage  of  Rufus  King.     Prospects  of  securities. 

March  29.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 287 

Cannot  buy  without  cash.    Sends  on  some  purchases.    Directions  as  to  letters  and 
buckles.     Petition  on  estate. 

April  8.    FROM  RICHARD  PLATT 289 

To  buy  securities. 

April  9.    FROM  JOHN  WEBB 289 

King-Alsop  match.    Needs  cash  to  buy  what  is  offered.    Western  territory  and  public 
appointments.    Deane  and  the  estate.     Salmon. 

— .    To  SAMUEL  HOLTON 292 

Appointments  in  the  Western  territory. 


CONTENTS  xxxiii 

April  12.    FROM  JOHN  WEBB 

Amount  of  securities  purchased.    Rates  given.     Cash'is  needed. ' 

April  14.     FROM  RICHARD  PLATT  .... 

To  continue  purchases.     Sends  money. 

April  19.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 

Impossible  to  sell  drafts     Difficulty  of  obtaining  money'    Sending  salmon. '  Business 
conditions  compared.    Buying  land  in  Colchester.    Prices  of  securities. 

April  22.    FROM  RICHARD  PLATT 

Sending  money  to  Georgia.    Their  speculation.  ' 

April  26.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 

The  admission  of  Platt.    Need  of  speedy  returns  to  make  purchases. '  Prices  and 
onenngs. 

May  15.     FROM  ROBERT  MORRIS,  JR *OI 

Visit  of  an  old  Goshonite.    Denounces  a  horse. 

May  17.     FROM  WILLIAM  WICKHAM 302 

Will  send  money.     Prevented  by  storm. 

May  18.    FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 303 

Able  to  pay  creditors  in  lands  or  notes.    Vexations  over  debts.    Jack  at  Salisbury 
Will  try  to  come  to  New  York. 

May  18.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 304 

Who  can  be  the  tale-bearers?    Warned  not  to  go  to  New  York.    Plenty  of  poor  friends 
His  debt  to  Phenix. 

May  21.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 306 

Should  he  come  to  New  York?    Deane's  creditors.    Hides  from  Havanna. 

June  3.    FROM  JOHN  WEBB 308 

Sends  articles  and  notes.    His  return  from  Boston.    Western  lands. 

July  — .    FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 308 

News  from  Boston.    Jesse  Deane.     Sugar  wanted.    Lawrence  of  London. 

July  4.    FROM  JOHN  WEBB 309 

Bills  and  purchases.    Wishes  bedding.     Seagrove's  gun.    Barrell's  visit. 

July  10.    FROM  WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON,  JR 311 

Offers  services  for  law  matters  in  New  Jersey. 

July  16.    FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 311 

Social  news.     Steuben's  child.    Wants  a  chaise. 

August  24.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 312 

Duel  with  Livingston.    Shaler's  business.    Barrell's  note.     Various  commissions. 
Loan  office  certificates. 

August  28.    FROM  GEORGE  D.  WICKHAM 314 

Thanks  for  advice.     Is  on  the  recovery. 

August  30.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB      3J4 

Sent  a  note  as  requested.    Will  send  another  as  soon  as  possible. 

August  31.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 3J5 

Livingston  a  poor  reach.     Cash  very  scarce.    Barrell's  note.     Seagrove's  carpenters. 

September  — .     FROM  MR.  ANSTERS S1^ 

Will  leave  city  in  his  company. 
September — .     FROM  CHARITY  SMITH     . 31? 

Cannot  go  as  intended.    Will  be  happy  to  see  him. 
September—.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 317 

Family  news  and  business. 

September  4.    FROM  WILLIAM  WICKHAM 3l8 

Wants  depreciation  certificates. 


XXXIV  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

September  12.    FROM  JOHN  WEBB 3l8 

Duel  with  Livingston.    Joseph's  note.    Wishes  gun  and  tent.    Seagrove's  carpenters. 
Alsop's  demand. 

September  21.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 3J9 

Certificates  could  have  been  sold  if  sent.     Seagrove's  men. 

October  12.    FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL 320 

Gratified  by  his  letter.    Mr.  Freeman.    An  obliging  postmaster. 

October  23.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 321 

Sends  money.    Dealing  with  his  countrymen.  Wants  news  of  Seagrove.    Black  boy 
desired. 

October  24.    FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL 323 

Sales  of  wine  require  explanation.    Sends  a  publication  on  an  act  of  General  Court. 

November  3.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 324 

Vessel  and  hands  ready.    Will  sail  on  the  i$th. 

November  7.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 324 

Has  not  neglected  him.    Wishes  him  all  happiness. 

November  14.    FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL 325 

Introduces  Fitch  Hall. 

November  30.     FROM  LEWIS  R.  MORRIS 326 

Is  at  Springfield.     Brother  Jack  has  sailed.     Passage  to  New  Haven. 

December  — .     FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL 327 

Is  really  indisposed.     Regrets  to  ladies. 

December  3.     FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL 327 

Will  see  him  in  the  evening. 

1787 

January  — .     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 328 

Jack  not  arrived  at  his  port.    The  winds.    No  money  among  them.    Has  McEvers 
assigned? 

January  15.    JOSEPH  WEBB  TO  THOMAS  LEVERETT 329 

Hides  and  prices.     Butler's  marriage.     New  bell.    Accounts. 

January  17.     FROM  HENRY  W.  LIVINGSTON 330 

Invitation. 

January  18.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 33° 

McEvers'  debt  and  assignment.    Alsop  and  King.    List  of  debts  at  New  York. 

February  9.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 332 

Anxious  about  Jack.    New  bell  from  London.    Accounts  may  be  sent  by  Joseph  Bull. 
Medicine  for  Barrell. 

February  n.    FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL  .    .    . 333 

Military  occupations.    What  his  sister  says.     His  own  difficulty. 

February  20.     To  ELNATHAN  HASKELL 334 

Purchases  of  securities.     Haskell's  affair  and  his  conduct. 

March  — .    FROM  WALTER  LIVINGSTON      336 

Dinner  on  salmon. 

March  n.    FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL 338 

His  hasty  letters.    A  charming  girl  of  Boston.     Military  movements. 

March  19.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 336 

No  word  from  Jack.     Can  get  no  salmon.     Passage  to  Georgia.    Jack's  temper.    Leb 
anon  Pool. 
April  i.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 339 

Fall  from  a  horse.     Sends  a  salmon.    Vessels  for  Savannah  and  rum  and  negroes  for 
Jack. 


CONTENTS  XXXV 

PAGE 

April  4.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 339 

Weight  of  salmon,  cost,  and  distribution. 

May  26.     FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL 340 

Settlement  with  Captain  Green. 

May  29.    FROM  JOHN  MEIGS 341 

In  need  of  money. 

June  ii.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 341 

The  Bull  divorce.    What  news  from  Jack?    London  letters. 

June  13.    FROM  SAMUEL  HODGSON 342 

Lottery  tickets. 

June  17.    FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL 343 

Attentions  to  Major  Erving.    Boston  gossip  and  politics. 

July  9.    FROM  GARY  LUDLOW 344 

Bancker  bonds  in  the  Crooke  estate. 

July  22.    FROM  JAMES  SEAGROVE 344 

Still  expects  to  receive  letters  from  him. 

August  26.    FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL 345 

Sends  some  orations.     Should  have  gone  to  Lebanon. 

August  31.    FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL 436 

Letters  are  owing.    His  relations  to  Fanny.     Social  news. 

October  9.    FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN 349 

Wishes  pearl  buttons  and  stockings. 

October  10.    FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN 349 

Buckles  and  buttons.     Impost. 

October  n.    FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL 35° 

The  Columbia  medals. 

October  22.    FROM  SCHENCK  AND  VAN  BUREN 34$ 

Sale  of  mills. 

November  29.    FROM  AUGUSTUS  VAN  CORTLANDT 351 

Settlement  of  Bancker's  bond.    Marston's  intentions. 

•.    FROM  THOMAS  SMITH 352 

Bond  against  Richard  Bancker. 

December  8.     FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL 

Account  against  Green.    Public  stock.    Alliance  prize  money.    The  medal. 

December  10.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 354 

His  creditors.    Messages. 

1788 

January  26.    FROM  WINTHROP  SARGENT 354 

Maps  sent.    Urges  him  to  look  at  the  western  country. 

February  18.    RICHARD  NEAVE,  JR.,  TO  MRS.  BANCKER   ....... 

Annuity  of  Mrs.  Stables.    Balance  due  Neave's  house.    Asks  for  payment. 

February  20.    FROM  WINTHROP  SARGENT 

Will  see  him  on  reaching  New  York.    A  map  for  Duer. 

February  28.    FROM  SCHENCK  AND  VAN  BUREN 

Wishes  to  close  a  transaction.    New  York  currency  to  be  used. 

March  6.    FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN,  JR.     .   .   •    • 

Wishes  a  sea  letter  for  a  ship  going  to  India.    Vans  associated  with 

March  23.    FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN,  JR.  . 
Letters  to  Colonel  Fleury. 


XXXVI  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

April  3.     FROM  SAMUEL  HODGDON 360 

Relates  a  conversation  with  Morris  on  some  certificates.     Circumstances  of  the  letter. 

April  13.     FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN,  JR 361 

Vessel  has  sailed.     Will  forward  letters  by  another.    His  sickness. 

April  26.     FROM  HENRY  BARD 361 

Arrival  at  Savannah.     Expects  soon  to  return  to  New  York. 

May  ii.  FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN,  JR 362 

Name  of  ship  altered  without  his  knowledge.    Letters  may  be  forwarded.    Affidavits 
will  be  prepared.    Jay's  illness. 

May  25.    FROM  THOMAS  LAWRENCE 363 

Asks  for  a  barrel  of  shad. 

June  17.    FROM  JOHN  COZINE 364 

Debt  due  by  the  Bancker  estate. 

June  28.    FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON 365 

Cannot  attend  meeting  of  the  Cincinnati. 

July  21.    FROM  BENJAMIN  CROOFOOT 365 

Delay  in  paying  rent. 

August  n.    FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON 366 

Will  send  chair  by  first  sloop. 

August  18.    FROM  GULIAN  VERPLANCK 367 

Conveyance  of  land. 

September  10.     FROM  WILLIAM  WILLEMENT 368 

Wishes  to  borrow  fowling  piece. 

October  i.  FROM  JOHN  CLARKE 368 

Introducing  Mr.  Noyes. 

1789 

January  n.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 369 

Business  matters. 

January  21.     FROM  ABIGAIL  WEBB 370 

Visit  from  Miss  Smith.    Joseph  gone  to  New  Haven.    Where  is  John? 
January  26.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 371 

Friends  who  are  not  friends.     Shall  not  be  wanting. 

February  8.     FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH 372 

Letter  for  Mrs.  Greene.     Family  news. 

February  19.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 372 

Belinda  Smith.     Matters  of  accounts.    Aid  wanted. 

March  9.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 373 

Simpson's  affair  continued.    Curtis'  sloop  at  Gilford.    Presidential  election.    Jack's 
vexation. 

April  29.    To  DON  DIEGO  DE  GARDOQUI 374 

Arrangements  for  inauguration  of  Washington. 
May  31.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 375 

Anxious  to  have  a  letter  from  him.     St.  John  passed  through.    Messages  to  friends. 
June  — .     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 376 

Must  take  him  into  his  confidence.     Barrell's  opinion  of  his  misfortunes.    Alsop's 

attachment.    Wife  in  ignorance  of  situation.    Must  defeat  recovery.    The  distillery's 

value.    Wants  his  advice. 

June  6.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 378 

Introduces  Thomas  Chester.    Is  told  of  Alsop's  intention  to  arrest.    Effect  upon  his 
credits.    Tries  to  be  the  philosopher. 


CONTENTS 


XXX VI 1 


June  7.    FROM  JOHN  WEBB   .... 

His  brother's  situation  and  prospects.    Turner's  debt.'    Thomas  Chester  ' 
June  14.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB  ......... 

Alsop  and  King's  conduct.    Has  received  much  kindness.     Gratitude  of  Alsop! 
June  1  6.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB  .....  n 

Expects  a  suspension  of  action  for  a  few  days!    Mrs.  Webb's  behavior  on  learning  o'f 

the  blow.     Cannot  be  frightened.    Distress  for  bread.     Prices. 
June  18.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB  ........  g- 

gl°°my'    CheSter  secures  a  ^leas  ' 


CheSter  secures  a  ^lease.    On  going  to  New  York,  'chair  for  Mrs. 
June  21.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB     .......  < 

explained'    Awaits  his  advice''    J°^Ph  Bull  as  messenger.    * 


June  26.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB     ....... 

voT^  of°h?d  h?*  g°  t0  NCW  Y0rk<    TfUStS  A1S°P  may'  Se'°  ^is'own  interest.'  Poo'r     ' 

June  26.    FROM  ELIHU  CHAUNCEY  GOODRICH   . 

Packages  and  letters. 

July  8.    JOSEPH  WEBB  TO  JAMES  SEAGROVE     ........ 

In  New  York  wrestling  with  his  creditors.  Difficulties  encountered.  Wishes  he  'had 
left  the  country.  Schools  at  Wethersfield.  Jack's  difference  with  Miller.  Federal 
offices.  Jonathan  Simpson. 

July  29.    FROM  KILLIAN  K.  VAN  RENSSELAER     ......  3o3 

His  letter  and  Goodrich's  examination. 
August  3.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB    .............  393 

Simpson  trial  and  needed  evidence.    No  offer  to  Alsop. 

August  1  1  .    FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB  ............    ......     394 

No  further  offers  of  accommodation.     Congress  and  offices.    John  injured.   Messages. 
August  18.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB  ..................     396 

Alsop's  order  and  consequences.  Is  quite  resigned.  Will  not  injure  his  creditors. 
Simpson  as  a  loyalist.  Kindness  of  friends. 

August  27.    FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB  ..................     398 

Trial  with  Simpson. 

September  3.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB  .................     399 

Evidence  wanted  as  to  Simpson.     Social  and  family  occurrences. 
September  6.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB     .................     400 

Visits  from  friends.  Goes  to  Colchester.  Requests  sporting  goods.  Note  from 
Joseph. 

September  7.     FROM  JAMES  DUYCKINCK     ..............     401 

Settlement  of  Richard  Bancker's  account. 

September  10.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB    ................     402 

Simpson  affair  postponed.    Other  matters. 

September  17.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB   .................     403 

Brother  Joseph  at  Hartford.     Wishes  him  to  come. 

September  17.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB    ................     404 

Is  at  Hartford,  as  comfortable  as  can  be  expected.  Alsop  has  done  his  worst.  His 
family. 

September  29.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB   .................     4°4 

Articles  to  be  sent.  Joseph  has  taken  right  step.  Situation  of  family.  Fears  the 
winter. 

September  29.     To  COLONEL  FISHBURN  ...............     4°6 

Ignorant  on  John's  debts.    Will  write  upon  the  matter.    Where  he  may  borrow. 


XXXV111  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

October  7.    FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 407 

Is  happy  and  supplied  with  what  is  wanted.    What  say  his  friends? 

October  20.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 408 

Wishes  for  a  letter.    His  quarters  are  sufficient.    Washington's  visit  to  the  town.    His 
friends. 

October  25.    FROM  JOHN  WEBB 409 

Am  almost  discouraged.    Alsop  and  terms.    Debts  due  to  him. 

October  29.    FROM  HENRY  IZARD 410 

Ticket  to  Assembly. 
December  6.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 411 

Deane  matter  closed.    Petition  to  Assembly.    His  West  India  vessel. 

December  27.    FROM  RICHARD  PLATT 412 

Barrell's    proposals   inadmissible.    His   engagements.    Jefferson's    certificates.     A 
large  loan. 

— .  TOASTS 413 

1790 
January  14.  FROM  RICHARD  PLATT 414 

Mission  to  Philadelphia. 

February  28.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 415 

Sends  salmon.    Wishes  to  know  Wadsworth's  opinion.    A  carpet  wanted.     Grand 
father  Webb's  condition. 

February  28.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 417 

Family  in  health.   As  to  settlements  for  brother  Joseph.   The  petition  to  the  Assembly. 

March  17.    FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH 418 

Drawing  of  the  lottery. 

May  20.    FROM  MATTHEW  MC€ONNELL 419 

Sends  public  securities.    Bill  on  New  York  and  manner  of  payment. 

May  30.     FROM  MATTHEW  MCCONNELL 419 

Certificates  to  be  registered. 

August  9.    FROM  WILLIAM  POPHAM 420 

Order  for  sale  of  lands. 

September  n.    FROM  JAMES  STEWART 420 

Cask  of  wine  and  tool  chest. 

October  21.    FROM  STEPHEN  HOGEBOOM 421 

Rise  in  wheat.     Sale  of  horses. 

November  14.    FROM  RICHARD  PLATT 422 

Prices  of  securities.    Order  to  purchase. 

— .    FROM  SARAH  WICKHAM 423 

Lottery  tickets. 

1791 

January  15.    FROM  PASLEY,  BARRY  &  LITTLE 423 

Pipe  of  wine. 

March  16.    FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON 424 

Political  manoeuvres  for  senatorship.    Appointments  at  Philadelphia. 

March  28.    FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 425 

No  letters  from  him.    Simpson  has  recovered  judgments.    News  of  friends  and  family. 
Salmon. 

March  29.    FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON 426 

His  brother's  candidacy.    Adgate's  chances.    Frank's  appointment.    Bank  of  United 
States. 


CONTENTS  xxxix 


PAGE 


April  18.    AGREEMENT     ..................  8 

June  12.    VISIT  TO  JOSEPH  BARRELL  ......  '  .......   \ 

June  27.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB  ........ 

Articles  sent  by  water.    Affairs  remain  as  they  were.    His  journey  home! 

June  30.    FROM  JOHN  WEBB     ............. 

His  grandfather's  condition.     Going  to  West  Indies  or  elsewhere.'    Administration  of 

August  i.    FROM  STEPHEN  HOGEBOOM    ........  4,2 

State  securities  and  treasurer's  certiQcates. 

August  4.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB    ............  4~- 

His  situation.     His  debts  in  New  York.     Commissions.     Determined  to  'close'  his 
affairs. 

October  18.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB    ................         4-g 

Jane  could  not  come  by  vessel.    Dramas  wanted. 
November  19.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB    ..............  4^7 

Letters  in  Scovel's  affair.    Suggestion  as  to  slaves.    Jack's  voyage.    Wethersfield  news. 
November  20.     FROM  WILLIAM  S.  LIVINGSTON  ..........  440 

Treasurer  will  issue  certificates.    Recovery  of  a  wench. 
December  29.     FROM  PETER  VAN  SCHAICK 


Sale  of  mills.     Taxes  and  laws  levying  them. 


1792 


44I 


January  25.    FROM  JAMES  FAIRLIE  ................        442 

Sends  a  saddle  of  venison. 
February  21.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB  .................     442 

Tea  and  venison.    Need  for  settling  his  affairs.    Articles  sent  or  to  be  sent.    Wishes 
to  see  him. 

February  21.     To  WILLIAM  HENRY  LUDLOW     ............     444 

Price  of  house  too  high.     Will  rent. 

March  17.    FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON    ...............     445 

Orders  for  certificates.    Duer's  condition.    A  political  scheme.    A  new  road. 
May  17.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB  ...................     446 

His  journey  home.    News  of  friends  and  acquaintances.    Barrell  to  build.    Business 
prospects.    Proposes  a  visit  to  Boston. 

June  12.    FROM  JAMES  STUART     ..................     449 

Sends  some  desired  articles.    The  election  in  Otsego. 

June  21.     FROM  JAMES  STUART     ..................     450 

Sends  some  hams.     Political  items. 

July  29.    FROM  GILBERT  ASPINWALL  ................     450 

Will  send  the  certificates.    Wants  a  chaise. 

October  25.     FROM  RICHARD  PLATT     ................     451 

Return  of  Pompey  (a  dog?). 

1793 

April  i.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB   ...................     452 

Has   met  the  auditors.    A  book  of  accounts  called   for.     Family  well.     Seasoning 
boards. 

1794 

September  6.    FROM  BENJAMIN  MOORE  ...............     453 

Letter  on  sport. 


Xl  CONTENTS 


1798  PAGE 

December  24.    FROM  AMBROSE  SPENCER 453 

Conduct  of  the  sheriff. 

1799 

January  22.    FROM  HEZEKIAH  L.  HOSMER 454 

Will  draw  will  as  desired.    President's  message. 

February  12.     FROM  HEZEKIAH  L.  HOSMER 454 

Increase  of  navy.    No  news. 

1800 

February  21.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 455 

Disappointed  in  not  seeing  him.     Purchase  of  oxen.    Bull's  divorce. 

March  8.     FROM  DAVID  THOMAS 456 

Annexation  of  Columbia  County.     State  debt. 

March  17.    FROM  MARY  N.  WEBB 457 

Messages  from  a  niece. 

October  14.    FROM  RICHARD  PLATT 458 

In  hands  of  bankruptcy  proceedings.    Dr.  Vrooman's  prescription. 

November  10.     FROM  DAVID  A.  OGDEN 459 

His  father's  estate. 

1801 
August  15.    FROM  L.  DE  LABIGARRE 459 

Offers  a  pointer  dog. 

August  29.    FROM  JAMES  ALEXANDER 460 

Deed  for  Duyckinck  property. 

1802 

January  12.    FROM  JAMES  A.  BAYARD 461 

Vining's  property  and  its  condition.    Forced  sale  unwise. 
February  2.     FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 462 

Introduces  Tryon.     Fortune  to  be  avoided.    Killian's  clerkship. 

— .     CHURCH  SUBSCRIPTION 464 

March  7.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 465 

An  ox  to  be  had.     Sale  of  house.     Expects  to  go  to  Canaan. 

April  ii.    FROM  DAVID  THOMAS • 466 

Polly's  arrival.    Removal  of  Dr.  Malcom.    Will  be  happy  to  promote  his  wishes. 

April  24.    FROM  JAMES  STUART 467 

Treaty  of  Amiens. 

July  19.    FROM  JAMES  WATSON 467 

Vining's  indebtedness. 

October  31.    FROM  JAMES  WATSON 468 

Conveyance  of  lands. 

November  2.    FROM  WILLIAM  CONSTABLE 469 

Social  engagement. 

1803 

February  8.    FROM  DAVID  THOMAS 469 

Washington  gayeties. 


CONTENTS  Xli 

PAGE 

February  16.     FROM  JAMES  A.  BAYARD 470 

Vining's  estate. 

July  12.     FROM  THOMAS  M.  MANN 471 

Physician's  account. 

1804 

December  i.     FROM  JOHN  WEBB 471 

Has  given  up  hope  of  seeing  him.    His  money  troubles.    Death  of  Barrell. 

1806 

May  — .    J.  CARVER  TO  JAMES  CLYMENTS 473 

Letter  of  introduction. 

August  g.    FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON 473 

A  business  matter. 
December  15.     FROM  DAVID  THOMAS 473 

A  severe  winter.    Burr's  movements. 

1807 

April  9.    FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB 474 

Family  news.    Death  of  Mrs.  Huntington.    Mrs.  Barrell  with  him.    Gossip  in  general. 
His  journey  home. 

November  2.     FROM  DAVID  THOMAS 477 

Difference  with  Great  Britain.    Burr  and  Luther  Martin. 


INDEX  .  479 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

RICHARD  NEAVE  AND  SON  TO  RICHARD  BANCKER. 
Copy     Origl  T  York.  LONDON,  3d  April,  1764. 

Sir: 

Since  ours  by  Davis  we  have  not  received  any  of  your 
favours.  This  serves  to  inclose  you  Invoice  and  Bill 
Lading  for  sundrys  shipped  on  board  the  York,  Capt. 
Peter  Berton,  for  New  York  amounting  to,  with  full  In 
surance,  £3073.  8.  4,  which  we  wish  safe  to  your  hands  and 
satisfaction.  You  will  by  this  opportunity  hear  that  an 
act  of  Parliament  has  passed  within  these  few  days,  laying  a 
duty  on  many  articles  imported  into  N.  America  and  the 
islands,  for  taking  off  about  5  per  cent  of  the  Draw-Back 
usually  allowed  on  Callicoes,  and  a  small  part  of  the  Draw- 
Back  on  Foreign  Linnens,  which  was  out  of  the  power  of 
the  Merchts,  and  Traders  of  this  city  to  prevent,  altho 
they  made  a  very  considerable  opposition.  We  remain 
very  respectfully,  Sir,  Your  most  hble  servts, 

RICHD.  NEAVE  &  SON. 

Addressed:  To  Mr.  Richard  Bancker,  Mercht.  in  New  York. 


THOMAS  PALMER  TO  RICHARD  BANCKER. 

CORNWALL  PRECINCT,  11  April,  1772. 

Sir: 

The  snow  has  but  very  lately  left  the  face  of  the  ground 
here.    And  since,  the  rivers  and  swamps  has  been  so  very 


2  FAMILY    LETTERS 

full  of  water,  which  has  prevented  my  proceeding  on  your 
survey.  I  determine,  however,  to  begin  the  I5th  inst.  I 
have  wrote  a  joint  letter  to  the  Proprietors  in  Genl.  con 
cerning  the  new  proposed  settlement,1  and  directed  it  to 
Mr.  Leffirts,  which  he  will  soon  show  you,  to  which  I 
refer  you  for  perticulars  in  that  respect. 

I  take  the  liberty  to  inclose  you  60  tickets  with  a  scheme 
of  our  Lottery,  No.  from  1611  to  1640,  as  also  from  No. 
1861  to  1890;  and  as  this  Lottery  is  to  support  the  cause 
of  religion,  and  as  our  congregation  is  under  real  necessity 
for  raising  that  sum,  it  may  justly  be  considered  a  char- 
ritable  act  in  those  who  would  be  pleased  to  favour  us 
with  their  acceptance  of  a  few  of  them.  If  you,  Sir,  would 
be  favourably  pleased  to  mention  it  to  your  friends, 
perhaps  you  may  dispose  of  this  few.  Pardon  me  for 
giving  you  this  trouble,  but  as  it  is  but  a  modest  way  of 
begging  you  will  excuse,  sir,  Your  most  humble  Servant 
to  Command, 

THOS.  PALMER. 

Addressed:    To    Mr.   Richard    Bancker,   Mercht.,   New  York.   Per 
favour  Capt.  Pease. 


FROM  WAT  STEWART. 

GIBRALTAR  BAY,  February  loth,  1773. 
Dear  Sam: 

After  professing  a  friendship  for  each  other  I  should 
think  myself  deficient  on  my  part,  if  I  did  not  the  first 
opportunity  acquaint  you  that  the  unbounded  Ocean 
rowls  betwixt  us;  that  the  3000  Miles  do  part  us,  and 
that  two  months  has  passed  since  I  last  saw  you;  yet  you 

1  At  Kayaderossares. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  3 

are  still  alive  in  my  remembrance.  I'm  writing  this  in 
the  Bay  formed  by  the  famed  rock  of  Gibraltar,  and 
altho  I  know  myself  incapable  of  describing  it  in  a  manner 
adequate  to  many  descriptions  you  undoubtedly  have 
seen,  shall  notwithstanding  as  I  engaged  attempt  it. 
Gibraltar  is  a  rocky  small  Peninsula,  whose  Istmus  is  a 
narrow  sandy  nook  of  land  about  three  miles  in  length, 
which  joins  it  to  the  main  land,  and  in  part  forms  the  Bay. 
This  Beach  is  called  the  Spanish  lines,  from  the  Spaniards 
having  three  or  four  batterys  on  it.  The  rock  is  situate 
in  A[n]dalusia,  the  southernmost  province  in  Spain,  and  is 
the  southermost  extremity  of  that  province.  Lying  on 
the  very  end  of  Europe's  point  this  rock  is  one  of  the 
pillars  of  hercules.  Mount  abile,  a  Mountain  opposite 
in  Africa,  is  the  other.  Gibraltar  is  now  called  the  key  of 
the  Straights,  therefore  has  a  key  for  its  arms.  The  Bay 
at  the  entrance  is  about  three  miles  wide,  but  widens  as 
you  enter  it.  The  water  where  Merchantmen  anchor  is 
from  three  to  six  fathoms  deep  within  a  mile  of  the  Old 
Mole  head,  the  northernmost  landing  place,  there  being 
but  three  places  where  you  can  land.  There's  now  seven 
regiments  of  soldiers  and  six  companys  of  the  royal  train 
of  arteliry.  I  imagine  there  is  about  450  peices  of  cannon 
now  mounted,  and  they  are  building  new  batterys.  Every 
day  390  men  is  constantly  on  guard  within  call  of  each 
other.  The  garrison  is  supplied  with  fresh  provisions 
from  Barbary,  such  as  oxen,  sheep,  fowls  and  pigeons. 
Herbage  of  all  kinds  is  brought  from  Spain.  Their  firing 
is  coals,  brought  some  from  Spain,  but  mostly  from  Eng 
land.  Salt  provisions  comes  from  Ireland  and  America, 
also  butter  and  cheese  [seal]  many  Jews  live  there  and 
have  a  Synagogue;  the  Spaniards  have  a  church,  also  the 


4  FAMILYLETTERS 

English.  There's  all  hands  round  me  engaged  in  different 
topics  of  discourse,  laughing  and  talking  sailor  like.  We've 
just  done  supper,  and  drinkt  a  merry  glass.  You  shall 
have  a  longer  Epistle  next  time.  I  am  with  the  greatest 
respect  your  Sincere  friend, 

WAT  STEWART. 

P.  S.  I  had  like  to  forgot  the  Dutch  and  Emperor  of 
Morocco  is  at  war.  There's  three  or  four  Dutch  men  of 
war  now  lying  here  to  convoy  merchantmen  up  further. 

W.  S. 

Addressed:  To  Mr.  Samuel  Web,  in  Middletown  To  the  care  of  Mr. 
Willm.  Stewart. 


FROM  CHARLES  WHITING.  1 

Dear  Sammy: 

Your  half  mumbled,  half  retracted  promise  you  made 
me  the  morning  I  parted  with  you  at  Weathersfield,  of 
coming  down  this  week,  I  am  not  much  disappointed  to 
find  you  dont  comply  with.  However  when  we  catch 
you  here,  my  boy  will  have  interest  for  the  delay.  You 
must  live  happily,  or  at  least  agreeably,  whilst  the  little 
circle  that  surrounds  your  fireside  confers  all  that  exalted 
joy  and  pure  satisfaction  which  fine  sense,  good  humor 
and  affability  can  afford. 


1  Charles  Whiting  was  of  Middletown,  Conn.,  and  was  an  adju 
tant  in  the  2d  Regiment,  or  Colonel  Joseph  Spencer's,  in  1775.  He 
served  as  secretary  to  General  Spencer,  and  left  the  army  in  December, 
1775.  In  1776  he  reinlisted  in  Wyllys'  regiment,  became  aide  de  camp 
to  General  Spencer,  and  was  commissioned  captain,  February  14, 
1777.  He  died  in  service  July  10,  1779. 


SAMUELBLACHLEYWEBB  5 

^  O  Sam!  doesnt  your  heart  bleed  at  the  thought  of  the 
time  when  you  must  leave  so  sweet  a  society?  But  I  will 
not  be  the  author  of  a  suggestion  which  may  occasion  you 
to  anticipate  the  pangs  of  parting,  in  themselves,  alas! 
too  severe  for  your  feeling  heart,  but  in  friendship's  name 
what  am  I  about. 

The  wife  of  our  worthy  friend  and  neighbor  Mr.  Meigs  1 
ere  you  receive  this  will  be  numbered  with  the  dead.  She 
is  now  in  the  apprehension  of  her  friends  in  the  distress 
ful  agonies  of  death,  paying  the  unavoidable  debt  of  nature, 
and  undergoing  the  unexceptionable  lot  of  humanity.  O, 
that  we  who  live  might  lay  it  to  heart,  and  be  suitably 
affected  by  such  alarming  instances  of  mortality.  May 
not  the  avocations  of  business  or  the  allurements  of  diver 
sion  so  engross  our  attention  and  time,  as  to  prevent 
our  giving  our  future  concerns  an  habitual  and  serious 
regard. 

I  hope  in  a  few  days  at  farthest  to  see  my  dear  friend, 
and  take  a  contemplative  stroll  on  the  banks  of  our  de 
lightful  river.  Remember  what  I  mentioned  at  parting, 
etc.  Be  so  good  as  to  pay  Bill  May,  the  saddler,  who 
works  opposite  your  brother's  store,  5/6  for  a  bridle  I  pur 
chased  of  him. 

Tell  your  good  brother  Mrs.  Hosmer  2  takes  15  yards 
of  the  green  stuff,  and  with  the  remainder  of  that  returns 
the  whole  of  the  other  piece,  which  does  not  suit.  Have 


1  Return  Jonathan  Meigs   (1734-1823),  who  served   through  the 
War  of  Independence,   and  after  the  peace  removed  to  Ohio.     He 
passed  the  last  years  of  his  life  among  the  Cherokees,  whose  agent  he 
was,  and  died  in  Georgia. 

2  Wife  of  Titus  Hosmer  (1736-1780),  who  is  ranked  among  the 
leading  men  of  Connecticut  in  the  Revolution. 


6  FAMILY     LETTERS 

not  had  an  earlier  opportunity  presented,  or  should  have 
forwarded  them  before. 

One  request  more  and  then,  desire  you  would  speak  to 
Mr.  Stanley  immediately  on  the  receipt  of  this,  and  beg 
of  him  to  have  my  surtout  finished  to  send  down  on  Mon 
day  by  Richard  Hamlin,  the  bearer  of  this.  If  not,  bring 
it  me  your  own  dear  self.  Make  my  respects  acceptable 
to  your  brother,  sisters  and  Miss  Johnson,  and  believe  me 
to  be,  dear  Sam,  with  the  firmest  affection,  Yours, 

CHAS.  WHITING. 

P.  S.     Write  me  by  Mr.  Hamlin  or  post. 
Saturday  I  o'clock  P.  M.  Oct.  3Oth,  1773. 

Addressed:  Mr.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  at  Wethersfield.  Per  Mr. 
Hamlen. 


NOTE. 

We  underwritten,  De  Mauregnault  &  Cusson  Co., 
partners,  acknowledge  to  be  indebted  to  Mr.  Samuel 
Webb  the  sum  of  Twenty  Thousand  Livres,  which  said 
sum  we  oblige  ourselves  to  pay  to  his  order  five  weeks 
after  date,  in  good  merchandable  Molasses,  or  good 
Spanish  and  Portugal  Gold,  having  the  weight  as  custom 
ary  in  this  Island,  the  value  received  in  forty  Horses,  at 
five  hundred  Livres  per  horse. 

DE  MAUREGNAULT  &  CUSSON. 

ST.  NICHOLAS  MOLE,  nth  December,  1773. 


SAMUELBLACHLEYWEBB  7 

RICHARD  NEAVE  AND  SON  TO  RICHARD  BANCKER. 
Copy.     Original  per  Hill.  LONDON,  25 th  January,  1774. 

Sir: 

Your  favor  of  6th  November  per  Capt.  Lawrence  came 
to  hand,  with  the  Deeds  which  have  been  executed  in 
Capt.  Lawrence's  presence  by  Mrs.  Stables  and  Miss 
Spyers,  &c.  which  would  have  been  the  finishing  stroke 
to  them  if  the  executing  them  by  yourself  and  Mrs.  Bancker 
had  been  recorded  in  New  York;  for  which  purpose  they 
now  go  back  to  Mr.  Neave,  Junior,  by  the  Minerva, 
Capt.  Hill.  The  recording  them  here  can  be  of  no  use 
at  all. 

My  good  Sir,  I  note  Bills  were  not  to  be  had  when  you 
wrote  by  Capt.  Lawrence,  but  you  would  soon  doubtless 
meet  with  some.  I  shall  only  say  I  have  no  doubt  of  your 
commisserating  our  situation  and  exerting  yourself  to 
help  us  to  the  utmost  of  your  power,  as  the  only  thing 
that  will  put  us  in  a  way  to  do  business  again.  I  am  with 
great  respect,  Sir,  Your  assured  Frd  Hble  Servt., 

RICHD  NEAVE  &  SON. 

Addressed:   To  Mr.  Richard  Bancker,  Merchant  in  New  York. 


ACT    OF    ASSEMBLY.1 

Mar.  1774. 


Upon  the  memorial  of  Silas  Dean,  of  Weathersfield, 
administrator  of  the  goods  and  estate  of  Mehitable  Dean 
late  of  said  Weathersfield,  deceas'd,  and  of  Joseph  Webb, 

1  Colonial  Records  of  Connecticut,  XIV,  285. 


8  FAMILYLETTERS 

Sarah  Webb,  Mehitabel  Webb,  Samuel  Blackesly  Webb, 
John  Webb,  Abigail  Webb   and  Jesse  Dean,   all  of  said 
Weathersfield,    children    and    heirs    of    said    Mehitabel, 
which  said  Samuel  is  a  minor  and  appears  by  his  guardian 
Titus  Hosmer  of  Middletown,  and  said  Mehitabel,  John, 
Abigail    and   Jesse   are   likewise   minors,    and    appear  by 
their  guardian  the  said   Silas   Dean,   and  of  Anne  Mix, 
executrix  of  the  last  will  and  testament  of  Ebenezer  Mix 
late  of  Hartford,  deceas'd,  and  of  John  Mix  and  Elisha 
Mix,  children  of  said  Ebenezer  and  minors,  who  appear  by 
said  Anne  their  guardian,  shewing  that  said  Ebenezer  in  his 
life  time  mortgaged  to  said  Mehitabel  two  certain  pieces  of 
land,  one  lying  in  Hartford  containing  about  eighty  acres, 
the   other   lying   in   Farmington   containing   about   three 
hundred  acres,  by  deed  dated  the  28th  day  of  June,  1762, 
defeasible  on  payment  of  the  sum  of  £415.  10.  II,  lawful 
money,  on  two  notes  of  hand  given  by  said  Ebenezer  to 
said  Mehitabel,  and  that  there  is  now  due  on  said  mort 
gage  the  sum  of  £571.  2.  8J^,  lawful  money,  which  cannot 
be  paid  but  by  sale  of  said  lands;  that  said  Ebenezer  in 
his  life  time  conveyed  his  equity  of  redemption  by  deed 
to  said  John  Mix  and  Elisha,  and  that  by  reason  of  the 
incapacity  of  said  minors  the  said  lands  cannot  be  con 
veyed  to  purchasers  and  praying  that  said  Anna  and  Silas 
may  be   authorized   and  impowered  to  make  sale  of  so 
much  of  said  mortgaged  premises  as  will  raise  the  said 
sum  of  £571.  2.  8J/2  with  the  interest  thereof  till  paid; 
and  the  same  being  paid  or  secured  to  said  Silas  as  ad 
ministrator  of  said  Mehitabel  Dean,  for  the  use  of  said 
children  and  heirs  of  said  Mehitabel,  that  thereupon  the 
said  Silas  be  enabled  to  release  the  right  of  said  minor 
heirs  of  said  Mehitabel  to  said  John  and  Elisha  etc.,  as 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  9 

per  memorial  on  file:  Resolved  by  this  Assembly,  that  the 
said  Silas  and  Anne  have  liberty  and  authority,  and 
liberty  and  authority  is  hereby  granted  to  said  Silas  and 
Anne,  to  sell  so  much  of  said  mortgaged  premises  as  will 
raise  the  sum  of  £571.  2.  8j/£  with  the  interest  thereof 
till  paid  and  incident  charges  of  sale,  and  to  give  a  deed 
or  deeds  accordingly,  and  that  the  monies  arising  on  said 
sale  or  sales  being  paid  or  secured  to  be  paid  to  said  Silas 
as  administrator  of  said  Mehitabel  Dean  and  that  the 
said  Silas  shall  have  liberty  and  authority  by  his  deed  of 
release  to  convey  to  the  said  John  Mix  and  Elisha  Mix  all 
the  residue  of  the  title  of  said  minor  children  of  said 
Mehitabel  Dean  to  said  mortgaged  premises,  and  that  all 
deeds  made  pursuant  to  and  by  virtue  of  this  act  shall  be 
good  and  effectual  in  law  for  the  sure  holding  of  the  estates 
therein  conveyed. 


FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH. 

MOLE  ST.  NICHOLAS,  July  ist,  1774. 
Dear  Sir: 

Your  affairs  here  do  not  wear  so  favorable  an  aspect  as 
I  could  wish.  Ingan  is  dead,  and  his  estate  will  not  pay 
all  his  debts.  Ducass  is  mate  of  the  Sloop  Guarda-Cost, 
and  has  promised  to  pay  his  note  soon.  Jaque  Chenill 
has  had  his  vessel  run  away  with,  but  has  (Mauregnault 
says)  lately  wrote  him  from  the  Cape  that  he  will  soon  be 
here  and  pay  his  in  part.  Pittitus  is  in  the  Bite  expected 
here  soon.  If  he  comes  shall  get  his.  Ravison  is  a  good 
note;  shall  send  to  him  at  Port  au  Paix,  if  he  dont  come 
here  soon.  Mauregnault  stands  his  ground  on  the  old 


IO  FAMILYLETTERS 

spot,    but   does    less   business,    yet   I    believe   with    more 
profit.1     I  am,  dear  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JERE  WADSWORTH. 

[For  prices  current,  turn  over.] 

Pork,  beef,  tallow,  lard,  4007 

Staves  long,  1307  to  220 /  short  ioo/ 

Per  M--  hoops  i8o/  to  1907  bords  1507  to  i8o/ 

Molasses  23  sols,  coffee  13  @  15,  indico,  n/  to  n/6 

Sugar  327  to  337 

Addressed:    Mr.   Samuel  B.  Webb,  Merchant,  Wethersfield,  Con 
necticut.    Sent  per  Capt.  Z.  Stocking. 


SILAS  DEANE  TO  WILLIAM  COOPER. 

WETHERSFIELD,  July  4th,  1774. 
Sir: 

Yours  of  the  28th  ultimo  inclosing  the  proceedings  of 
the  Town  of  Boston  I  received,  since  which  have  not  seen 
any  of  our  Committee; 2  consequently  have  nothing  to 
write  you  from  them.  They  are  to  meet  the  I3th  instant 
at  New  London,  to  appoint  Deputies  to  attend  the  general 
Congress,  agreeable  to  the  direction  given  them  by  the 
Honorable  House  of  Representatives  for  this  Colony  at 


1  Webb  had  visited  Mole  St.  Nicholas  in  the  January  previous, 
and  Wadsworth  appears  to  have  joined  him  there.    See  Correspondence 
and  Journals  of  Samuel  Blachley  Webb,  I,  17.     In  subsequent  notes 
this  work  will  be  referred  to  as  Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals. 

2  The  Committee  of  Correspondence  in  Connecticut.    The  names  of 
the  members  are  given  in  Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals,  I,  10  n, 
and  in  the  same  volume  will  be  found  the  extremely  valuable  letters 
received  in  the  year  1774. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB  II 

their  last  session.1  The  designs  of  the  Ministry  doubtless 
are  to  drive  the  inhabitants  of  your  town  and  province  to 
the  dreadful  alternative  of  resisting  force  with  force,  or 
of  absolute  submission  to  arbitrary  and  even  military 
Government.  There  is  a  report  that  your  Governor2 
has  declared  his  design  of  being  present  and  active  at  the 
Congress.  His  late  Proclamation 3  gives  probability  to 
such  design,  which  if  he  in  earnest  means  to  pursue,  I 
think  it  ought  to  be  known  previous  to  the  meeting  of  the 
Congress,  that  they  who  are  deputed  may  know  what  to 
depend  on  at  their  meeting.  There  is  the  greatest  possible 
unanimity  in  this  Colony  and  I  think  the  similarity  of 
sentiment  and  apprehension  throughout  this  Continent 
at  this  time,  as  it  exceeds  even  what  might  have  been 
expected,  so  it  is  a  most  encouraging  omen  for  good.  These 
Colonies  in  their  infancy  were  enabled  to  struggle  through 
and  overcome  difficulties  and  opposition,  everything  con 
sidered,  great  as  those  of  the  present  day,  solely  under 
Providence  on  their  confederating  together,  and  acting 
as  one  body  with  one  Common  Interest  in  View,  and  with 
that  Unanimity  and  firmness  which  is  ever  the  Result  of 
true  Patriotic  Virtue.  The  same  causes  will  doubtless 
have  the  same  effect,  and  nothing  will  or  can  possibly 
prevent  if  we  have  not  degenerated  from  the  Virtue  of  our 
Ancestors.  I  am  with  esteem,  Sir,  your  Most  Humb  Servt. 
For  Wm.  Cooper,  Esq.4 

1  See  Journals  of  the  Continental  Congress  (Ford),  I,  17,  1 8. 

2  General  Thomas  Gage  was  governor  of  Massachusetts  at  this  time. 

3  Gage's  proclamation,  issued  at  Salem,  June  29.    The  text  is  in 
Proc.  Mass.  Hist.  Soc.,  XII,  47. 

4  The  letter  is  in  the  writing  of  Webb.    Cooper  (1720-1809),  son  of 
the  Rev.  William  Cooper,  served  as  Town  Clerk  of  Boston  for  nearly 
half  a  century. 


12  FAMILYLETTERS 

AGREEMENT  FOR  PASSAGE. 

Articles  of  Agreement  made,  indented  and  concluded  on 
this  [ 1  ]  Day  of  December,  in  the  Fifteenth  year  of  the 
Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  George  the  Third,  by  the 
Grace  of  God  King  of  Great  Britain,  &c.,  &c.,  and  in  the 
year  One  Thousand  Seven  Hundred  and  Seventy  Four, 
Between  James  Ackland,  Commander  of  the  ship  York, 
of  the  one  part,  and  Ann  Farteshew  of  the  other  part  as 
follows:  and  first  he  the  said  James  Ackland  doth  hereby 
covenant,  and  promise,  and  agree,  and  with  the  said  Ann 
Farteshew,  to  carry  her  in  his  said  ship  to  New  York  (the 
risk  of  the  Sea  excepted),  and  to  provide  her  with  good 
wholesome  Meat,  Drink,  and  Bedding  during  the  said 
voyage,  and  untill  she  shall  arrive  at  New  York  aforesaid; 
she  the  said  Ann  Farteshew  paying  unto  him,  the  said 
James  Ackland,  at  and  after  the  rate  of  Twelve  Pounds 
Twelve  shillings  sterling  for  her  passage,  and  that  the 
said  payment  shall  be  made  by  her,  the  said  Ann  Farte 
shew,  within  Ten  days  after  her  arrival  at  New  York 
aforesaid.  But  if  default  of  payment  by  her,  the  said 
Ann  Farteshew,  within  the  limited  time  aforesaid;  she, 
the  said  Ann  Farteshew,  doth  hereby  authorize  and  im- 
power  him,  the  said  James  Ackland,  or  his  Assigns,  to 
bind  her  to  such  a  Master  in  any  of  His  Majesty's  Prov 
inces  in  North  America,  as  he  or  they  shall  chuse  for  the 
term  of  four  years,  to  be  computed  from  her  arrival  at 
New  York  aforesaid;  and  that  she  will  at  the  cost  of  him, 
the  said  James  Ackland,  or  his  Assigns,  sign  any  neces 
sary  Indenture  for  that  purpose;  and  that  during  the 
Term  of  her  Servitude  as  aforesaid,  she  will  truly  serve 

1  Blank. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  13 

her  said  Master  and  act  in  all  respects  as  a  faithfull  Ser 
vant.  Provided  always,  that  if  she  shall  pay  unto  him 
the  said  James  Ackland,  or  his  Assigns,  the  sum  of  Twelve 
Pounds  Twelve  shillings  sterling  within  Ten  days  after 
her  arrival  at  New  York  as  aforesaid,  that  immediately 
from  and  after  such  payment  she  shall  be  free  as  if  the 
said  Clause  concerning  the  Servitude  for  four  years  had 
never  been  made.  And  for  the  true  performance  of  the 
premises  Each  party  binds  himself  in  the  sum  of  Thirty 
Pounds  sterling  of  lawfull  money  of  Great  Britain,  to  be 
payed  by  the  party  not  performing. 

Signed  in  the  Presence  of  JAMES  ACKLAND. 

JOHN  RUSSELL. 


FROM  JOHN  SIMPSON. l 

Wednesday,  After  Dinner,  29  Mar.  '75. 

By  the  time  which  this  is  dated  you  may  conclude,  my 
Dear  Brother,  that  I  am  rather  unfitt  for  writing  letters; 
but  as  nothing  would  excuse  me  from  it  when  I  have  met 
with  such  friendly  civilities  from  you,  I  will  go  on  to  an 
swer  your  letter,  or  rather  to  give  you  my  opinion  upon 
the  subject  you  wrote  on.  To  proceed  then,  I  think  the 
conduct  of  Sfilas]  D[eane]  very  extraordinary  and  deroga 
tory  to  the  character  he  has  allways  enjoyed.  I  cannot 
conceive  of  any  good  reason  for  His  behaviour,  and  more 
especially,  after  such  a  possitive  promise  of  seeing  you 
the  next  day  for  the  purpose  of  settling  the  affair,  to  go  of 

1  Married  Webb's  sister,  Sarah.  See  references  to  him  in  Webb, 
Correspondence  and  Journals,  index;  also  Sabine,  Loyalists  of  the 
American  Revolution,  II,  303. 


14  FAMILY     LETTERS 

and  leave  you  without  the  least  reason  therefor  seems  to 
me  to  be  very  wrong  and  ought  not  to  be  readily  excused. 
I  think  you  should  press  pretty  hard  for  a  settlement,  and 
in  the  mean  time  write  Dr.  Johnson  *  to  hold  himself  en 
gaged  for  us  in  case  of  necessity,  as  I  fear  His  Mr.  D[eane]'s 
fear  of  your  having  already  done  it  was  to  sound  you,  that 
in  case  it  was  not  so  that  he  might  himself  engage  those 
attorneys  who  have  the  most  influence,  and  by  his  pre 
tended  fear  keep  you  in  a  state  of  supposed  security,  and 
in  the  meantime  undermine  till  the  House  fall.  Your 
affairs  are  more  particularly  engaged  here,  therefore  I 
expect  more  from  you  than  Jo: 

I  beg  you  will  by  the  return  of  the  Post  send  me  an 
answer  what  you  will  do  respecting  my  goods;  wether 
you  determine  to  spend  the  summer  at  home  and  take 'em 
to  sell  for  me  on  commission,  or  what  else,  as  it's  of  con 
sequence  for  me  to  know  very  soon  lest  we  be  overtaken 
in  the  fit  of  drowseyness.  Inform  me  likewise  what  situa 
tion  you  think  best  and  the  commission.  Wethersfield 
appears  to  me  best,  as  it  is  nearer  the  centre.2 

Having  nothing  further  to  add  I  must  conclude,  and 
that  sincerely  I  am  Yr  Affec.  Bro., 

JOHN  SIMPSON. 

P.  S.  I  will  send  you  the  pouch  if  I  can  get  the  Post 
to  take  it. 


1  William    Samuel   Johnson    (1727-1819),    of   Stratford,    long    the 
leading  lawyer  in  Connecticut.     Before  the  peace  he  became  president 
of  Columbia  College,  New  York,  but  ill  health  compelled  him  to  resign 
that  office  in  1800.     His  letters  to  the  governors  of  Connecticut  are 
printed  in  5  Mass.  Hist.  Collections,  IX,  213. 

2  Simpson  had  visited  the  place  only  a  week  before.    Webb,  Corre 
spondence  and  Journals,  I,  51,  where  one  of  his  letters  is  reproduced. 


SAMUEL    BLACHLEYWEBB  15 

FROM  JOHN  SIMPSON. 

Dear  Bro:  Wednesday  Evening,  5  April,  '75. 

As  the  hour  is  late  I  must  be  very  brief.  To  begin  then 
I  was  much  disappointed  in  not  receiving  an  answer  from 
you  respecting  my  goods,  more  particularly  as  the  posts 
are  shortly  to  be  shutt  up,  so  that  there  will  be  no  such 
thing  as  transporting  things  from  one  colony  to  another.1 
However  I  have  ventured  to  order  them  to  your  Brother, 
and  if  you  incline  to  take  the  care  of  em  and  sell  them  for 
me,  I  beg  you  will  let  me  know  it  and  the  commission  you 
expect;  for  [if]  it  is  inconvenient  to  you  to  take  charge  of 
em,  I  will  send  my  Clerk  up  with  them.  I  would  prefer 
your  care  of  them  to  his,  and  if  for  your  interest  hope 
you  will  stay  at  home  this  ensuing  summer.  Dont  fail  of 
answering  me  by  the  return  of  the  Post  in  the  affirmative 
or  negative,  that  I  may  know  what  to  do.  I  congratu 
late  you  on  the  more  agreeable  apearance  of  the  Estate 
affairs,  and  hope  you  will  be  able  to  settle  them  amicably. 
Adieu,  I  will  be  glad  to  see  you  whenever  convenient  to 
come  to  town.  Yr  Afft.  Br., 

JOHN  SIMPSON. 


FROM  JOHN  SIMPSON. 

My  Dear  Friend:  BosTON'  "  APri1' 

Your  lettsrs  was  handed  to  me  this  forenoon  by  the 
Post;  some  part  of  the  contents  is  correspondent  with 

1  Continental  posts  were  not  provided  for  until  July  26,  when 
Benjamin  Frr.nklin,  because  of  his  knowledge  and  experience  gained 
in  the  royal  pO3t  service,  was  chosen  postmaster  general  for  the  United 
Colonies. 


l6  FAMILYLETTERS 

my  expectations,  but  yet  am  sorry  in  not  being  disap 
pointed--!  mean  the  affair  with  Mr.  Deane  —  as  it 
would  be  much  more  agreeable  to  have  settled  with  him 
in  an  amicable  way  than  by  law.  However  the  latter  is 
preferable  to  the  loss  of  what  is  our  right,  which  as  the 
Americans  in  general  so  ought  individuals  to  stand  up 
for;  and  unless  he  will  make  such  proposals  as  are  equitable 
I  think  we  ought  to  take  such  methods  as  will  oblidge  him 
to  do  justice  to  us.  I  am  glad  you  follow  it  so  close,  and 
I  hope  by  your  and  Jose  assiduity  to  have  things  upon 
an  agreeable  footing.  Now  is  the  time  to  strike  while  the 
iron  is  hot,  for  [if]  it  is  again  neglected  I  fear  nothing  but 
his  death  will  effect  a  settlement,  which  I  think  is  as 
necessary  now  as  it  will  be  then.  I  wish  you  will  trans 
cribe  from  his  Book  the  amount  of  the  Notes  and  Book 
debts  due  to  and  from  your  father,  and  the  amount  of 
the  Real  and  Personal  Estate  as  per  appraisement.  Like 
wise  a  copy  of  the  accounts  he  shewed  me  just  after  my 
marriage.  I  cannot  conceive  of  his  being  able  with  any 
justness  to  reduce  the  division  from  2OOo£  to  6oo£  each. 
I  would  not  willingly  give  him  his  thirds  of  the  Estate 
until  I  saw  how  he  stated  the  account.  If  he  expects  a 
third  of  the  estate  the  least  he  can  do  is  to  allow  Interest 
for  all  the  moneys  and  effects  he  has  received  since  the 
death  of  our  father.  He  frequently  said  it  was  in  our 
power  to  ruin  him  if  we  pleased.  I  wish  that  was  explained, 
for  I  dont  know  how.  If  he  has  acted  an  honest  part,  nay, 
whether  he  has  or  not,  I  think  we  ought  to  do  justice  to 
ourselves.  It  is  a  duty  incumbent  on  me  I  will  most  cer 
tainly  see  to,  for  I  plainly  perceive  that  a  delicacy  of 
behaviour  has  no  effect  on  him.  Therefore  I  approve  of 
your  writing  Doctor  Johnson.  Furthermore  I  think  it 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  IJ 

would  be  very  imprudent  to  suspend  the  settlement  longer 
than  next  Court,  when  I  believe  it  will  be  the  most  advisable 
thing  to  thro  in  a  partition  to  the  Assembly,  praying 
leave  to  appoint  proper  persons  to  adjust  said  affairs,  the 
choice  of  whom  I  leave  to  yourself  and  Jose,  and  will 
abide  by  their  decision  if  agreeable  to  you  two.1  Your 
Brother  having  a  great  deal  of  business  in  the  settlement 
of  his  own  particular  affairs,  and  you  have  leisure,  there 
fore  you  ought  to  be  very  industryous,  as  all  depends  upon 
application  and  attention.  Dont  be  backward  in  pushing 
matters,  as  you  know  the  person  I  am  speaking  of  re 
quires  it.  I  am  glad  you  have  near  closed  the  Division 
of  Real  Estate,  and  wish  a  settlement  of  the  whole  might 
as  easily  be  effected. 

As  to  my  own  particular  affairs  concerning  goods  must 
only  say  that  I  would  have  you  open  them  and  sell  them 
upon  as  good  terms  as  possible,  by  wholesale  and  for  cash 
only,  unless  to  Jo,  etc. 

In  respect  to  spending  the  summer  with  you  I  dont 
think  it  eligible,  and  believe  we  shall  be  as  easy  here  as 
with  you.2  However  thank  you  for  your  good  wishes. 
Adieu.  That  all  our  disputes  with  the  mother  [country] 
may  be  dissipated  (as  a  cloud  by  the  sun)  is  the  sincere 
wish  of  your  Afft  Brother,  JOHN  SIMPSON. 

1  No  such  petition  appears  to  have  been  presented  to  the  Assembly. 
Probably  the  troublous  conditions  prevented.     Joseph  Webb,  in  the 
month  of  May,  was  seeking  to  release  one  of  his  vessels,  laden  with 
pork  for  the  West  Indies  (Colonial  Records  of  Connecticut,  XIV,  439), 
and  the  events  occurring  in  Massachusetts  were  attacting  the  atten 
tion  of  the  colonies. 

2  About  a  month  later  he  was  writing  of  his  intention  of  going  to 
Quebec,  of  his  low  stock  of  money  and  provisions,  and  his  wish  for 
his  share  of  the  stock  —  naming  one  thousand  pounds  as  his  idea  of  it. 


l8  FAMILYLETTERS 

FROM  JOHN  SIMPSON. 

BOSTON,  8  June,  1775. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  this  day  received  a  letter  from  you  dated  Charlestown, 
6  April,  which  I  suppose  you  meant  the  6  of  this  month.1 
Presuming  upon  which  I've  thot  proper  now  to  write  you, 
to  signify  my  desire  of  seeing  you,  which  I  will  do  at  the 
Lines  on  the  Neck,  at  any  hour  and  day  you  will  please 
to  appoint,  when  I  can  more  freely  converse  with  you 
than  by  letter. 

I  received  only  one  from  Jose  dated  26  May  urging  me 
to  leave  town.  Your  Sister  [Sarah]  has  been  very  unwell, 
but  is  now  getting  better,  and  I  believe  will  accompany 
[me]  to  the  Lines,  if  you  will  meet  me  there.  I  beg  you 
will  write  an  answer  as  soon  as  possible  that  I  may 
know  what  steps  to  take.  I  am  your  affectionate 

JOHN  SIMPSON. 

Addressed:  To  Mr.  Samuel  B.  Webb  at  Bradish's  Tavern,2  in 
Cambridge. 


FROM  JOHN  SIMPSON. 
Dear  Sam.  BOSTON,  13  September,  1775. 

Captain  Fenwick  3  of  the  Train  handed  me  your  letter 
of  the  28th  ultimo,  with  a  handkerchief  of  Peaches,  which 


1  On    May   I   Webb  was  commissioned    a    lieutenant  in   Captain 
John  Chester's  company  (the  9th),  in   Colonel  Spencer's,  or  the  2d 
Regiment. 

2  The  sign  of  the  Blue  Anchor,  kept  by  Ebenezer  Bradish.    It  stood 
on    Brighton    Street,    about   midway   between   Harvard    Square   and 
Mount  Auburn  Street.    A  part  of  the  tavern  remained  until  after  1880. 

3  Captain  Robert  Fenwick,  of  the  Royal  Artillery. 


SAMUEL    BLACHLEY    WEBB  19 

have  your  sister's  and  my  thanks.  We  are  much  obliged 
for  your  earnest  solicitations  for  our  welfare  which  con 
vinces  us  of  your  affection.  It  would  make  us  happy  to 
meet  you  but  that  is  impossible  unless  we  take  up  our 
residence  at  Wethersfield,  which  I  have  thoughts  of,  as  I 
have  entirely  set  aside  my  intention  of  settling  in  Canada, 
the  accounts  from  thence  being  unfavorable  to  business, 
the  only  inducement  I  had  for  thinking  of  going  there; 
but  before  I  determine  on  anything  I  must  beg  you  to 
answer  me  a  few  questions.  Are  you  sure  I  should  be  free 
from  all  kinds  of  insults?  This  question  is  not  that  I  fear 
it  but  through  my  connections,  being  sensible  I  have  not 
been  active  on  either  side.  You  mention  that  all  my 
customers  say  they  will  settle  with  me  as  fast  as  possible 
if  I  will  go  into  the  country.  Do  you  speak  this  as  what 
comes  from  them,  or  as  your  own  sentiments  only?  Do 
the  Common  people  pay  their  debts  in  the  money  emitted 
by  the  Continental  Congress  ?  What  interest  does  it  bear 
and  when  redeemable  ?  Does  the  above  mentioned  money 
pass  current  for  everything?  Can  you  procure  for  me  on 
hire  a  coach  for  my  family,  and  wagons  for  my  furniture 
to  Wethersfield  ?  As  my  tables  and  chairs  are  too  good  to 
cart  1 20  miles,  how  shall  I  manage  for  those  things  there? 
Can  I  hire  a  house  furnished,  or  can  I  board  my  family 
conveniently?  What  house  can  I  have  or  where  can  I 
board?  I  should  not  choose  to  incommode  your  brother, 
whose  goodness  will  prompt  him  to  urge  our  living  with 
him. 

If  you  think  there  is  any  prospect  of  an  accommoda 
tion  shortly  I  had  rather  stay  than  remove  anywhere,  as 
I  have  considerable  interest  here  which  must  be  reduced 
by  my  leaving  it,  and  what  was  a  great  reason  for  my  in- 


2O  FAMILYLETTERS 

tending  to  go  to  Quebec.  I  could  remove  some  part  of  it 
there  with  ease  by  water  carriage. 

Mr.  Deane  desired  me  in  his  note  to  confer  with  you 
before  he  left  this  part  of  the  country  upon  his  conversa 
tion  with  you.  Pray  inform  me  of  the  particulars. 

Do  you  know  whether  Jos:  [Webb]  has  sent  me  the 
money  as  directed?  I  have  some  orphan  cousins  here, 
and  I  want  to  pay  them.  I  wish  you  would  write  him 
upon  the  subject. 

When  did  you  hear  from  our  friends,  and  are  they  well? 
Is  there  any  letters  for  me  in  the  office  at  Cambridge? 
If  there  is,  I  beg  you  will  forward  on  to  me,  as  they  may 
be  of  some  consequence. 

A  particular  answer  to  the  above  queries  will  oblige  me 
and  facilitate  my  journey  into  the  country. 

Sally  is  well,  and  desires  to  be  affectionately  remem 
bered  to  you  and  all  friends  at  Wethersfield.  Write  me 
as  soon  as  possible  in  answer  to  this,  as  the  cold  is 
advancing,  before  which  I  must  determine  on  some 
thing. 

Through  my  Uncle  at  Halifax  I  have  fared  pretty  well 
in  respect  to  provisions.  I  had  fresh  beef  five  days  last 
week  at  my  own  house,  and  have  now  by  me  a  pig  and 
five  sheep,  so  that  till  I  take  my  departure  I  shall  do  very 
well. 

Adieu.  r,T     . 

[Unsigned.] 

P.  S.  Although  I  ask  if  you  can  procure  me  a  coach 
and  wagon,  I  don't  mean  to  remove  from  hence  till  I  hear 
from  Great  Britain,  in  consequence  of  the  battle  on  Breed's 
Hill;  for  as  I  have  a  great  deal  of  interest  here,  I  should 
prefer  staying,  if  there  was  any  prospect  of  an  accommoda- 


SAMUEL    BLACHLEYWEBB  21 

tion,  and  which  I  doubt  not  my  friends  everywhere  must 
approve  of.  As  opportunities  are  more  frequent  with 
you  than  me  to  send  letters  to  Connecticut,  I  must  beg 
you  to  forward  the  inclosed  to  Joe. 

Pray  dont  omit  sending  in  my  letters.  I  know  of 
there  being  some  in  the  office  for  me  and  wish  to  see  the 
contents. 

Addressed:  To  Mr.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  at  Cambridge.  To  D. 
Roberts  care,  who  is  desired  to  forward  or  deliver  it  as  soon  as 
possible. 

Endorsed:   This  letter  must  be  sent  back  soon  for  several  Reasons. 

S.  B.  W. 


FROM  JOHN  SIMPSON. 

BOSTON,  21  October,  1775. 
Dear  Sam: 

I  this  day  received  yours  of  17  instant,  and  observe  that 
you  had  answered  my  two  former  letters  some  time  ago 
and  sent  it  in  Friday;  but  as  I  have  never  received  it,  I 
cannot  know  what  you  have  said  to  make  you  so  sanguine 
in  your  expectations  of  seeing  me  and  family  out  so  soon 
as  a  few  days.  I  would  be  glad  you  will  inform  me  of  the 
particulars  of  it,  as  it  is  uncertain  and  almost  impossible 
I  should  now  receive  the  letter  you  refer  to,  and  at  the 
same  time  send  me  the  Letter  you  mention  having  received 
from  Jo. 

We  enjoy  health,  though  not  an  undisturbed  mind  when 
we  think  what  must  be  the  consequence  of  the  present 
unhappy  contest. 

If  it  is  possible  for  you  to  send  anything  fresh  to  us,  it 
would  be  very  acceptable.  Perhaps  if  you  ask  leave  of 


22  FAMILYLETTERS 

your  General 1  he  would  consent  to  your  sending  by  the 
boat  that  goes  between  this  town  and  Chelsea  some  few 
things,  as  it  would  be  for  the  use  of  us  only,  who  must  live 
upon  salt  meat  the  whole  winter,  it  being  impossible  for 
some  reasons  for  us  to  leave  town.  Everything  fresh  is 
very  dear,  besides  which,  as  I  have  not  received  anything 
from  my  customers  since  the  unhappy  19  of  April,  my 
purse  is  almost  drained. 

I  wish  you  would  spare  a  few  moments  to  write  Mr. 
D[eane]  about  our  matters,  as  I  have  now  no  dependance 

but  upon  him  for  my  future  support. 

[Unsigned.] 

Addressed:   To  Lieut.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  Aid  de  Camp  to  Gen'l  Put 
nam,   at   Cambridge. 


FROM  JOHN  NUTTER  AND  OTHERS. 

We  the  subscribers,  James  McDonald,  John  Nutter 
and  Joseph  Waterman,  of  Majr.  [John]  Durkee's  Com 
pany,  and  Joel  White,  of  Capt.  [Ephraim]  Manning's 
Company,  all  in  Genl.  Putnam's  Regiment,  do  severally 
acknowledge  to  have  received  20 /  lawful  money  each  of 
Majr.  General  Israel  Putnam,  Esqr.,  in  full  for  all  our 
Right  Title  and  Demand  in  and  to  a  certain  large  Bay 
coloured  Horse  taken  by  us  from  the  Regular  Troops  on 
Charlestown  Neck,  and  which  horse  we  have  sold  to 
General  Putnam  this  22d  Day  of  November  A.  D.  1775 
as  Witness  our  Hands, 

JOHN  NUTTER. 
Witnesses  JOEL  WHITE. 

[none]  JAMES  McDoNALD. 

1  Israel  Putnam. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  23 

SAMUEL  STRINGER  1  TO  WALTER  V.  WEMPLE. 

Dear  Vroman,  ALBANY>  2I  March'  I776' 

I  have  wrote  you  several  letters  since  I  had  any  from 
you,  which  I  cannot  account  for. 

General  Washington  has  played  the  devil  at  Boston. 
General  How  has  asked  leave  to  go  away  with  his  troops, 
which  has  been  laughed  at.  We  hope  shortly  to  send  you 
better  accounts  of  them.  Our  army  has  been  besieging 
the  town  ever  since  the  2nd  instant. 

I  know  not  yet  where  I  am  to  be  destined,  nor  what 
provision  is  to  be  made  for  the  hospital,  and  when  we  are 
to  take  the  field  it  will  be  all  to  be  done.  We  are  all  well, 
and  desire  to  be  remembered  to  you. 

I  am  your  sincere  friend  etc., 

SAM.  STRINGER. 

P.  S.  Let  McCrea  know  I  have  his  coat  from  the 
tailor  he  wrote  for. 

Addressed:  To  Walter  V:  Wemple,  Surgeon  in  the  General  Hos 
pital,  Canada. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
My  Dear  Brother:  WETHERSFIELD,  October  14^,  1776. 

Yours  of  this  morning  I  received,  and  in  answer  say 
you  had  best  send  your  cloth  to  me.  I'll  do  all  in  my 

1  Samuel  Stringer  (1734-1817)  had  served  in  the  medical  depart 
ment  in  Shirley's  expedition  against  the  French,  and  also  in  the  cam 
paign  of  1758.  He  was  at  this  time  director  of  the  hospital  and  chief 
physician  and  surgeon  for  the  army  in  the  Northern  Department. 
Later  he  was  dismissed  from  the  service,  though  defended  by  General 
Schuyler.  Probably  the  dislike  of  Schuyler  held  by  many  was  respon 
sible  for  this  action. 


24  FAMILY     LETTERS 

power  to  suit  you  as  to  the  making,  etc.  I  have  engaged 
some  cloth  for  Col.  Carey.1  Poor  Stanley,  our  tailor,  has 
been  ill,  or  would  had  it  made  before  now;  but  in  a  few 
days  it  is  likely  I  can  send  it.  The  post  has  been  in  an  un 
settled  state,  which  has  made  conveyance  to  and  from 
the  Army  quite  irregular.  I  [was]  much  put  out  that  I 
had  no  letter  in  answer  to  the  one  wrote  you  in  behalf  of 
Mr.  Jauncy.2  Pray  write  me  a  long  circumstantial  letter. 
I  cant  say  but  I  feel  much  for  Mr.  Alexander  Wallace  3 
and  Mr.  Sherbrook,4  two  gentlemen  of  our  particular 
acquaintance,  neither  of  them  gentlemen  that  would  do 
us  the  least  harm,  or  the  Cause  of  America,  was  they  at 
home  taking  care  of  their  property.  Mr.  Sherbrook  has 
been  with  me  these  some  days.  I  feel  much  for  him;  his 
anxiety  about  his  Lady  and  a  number  of  papers  he  has 
secreted,  is  a  very  serious  affair  with  him.  Mr.  Wallace 
has  a  large  family.  Add  to  this  when  they  was  sent  away, 
they  was  promised  a  speedy  releasement,  even  from 
General  Washington--  they  willing  to  do  anything  con 
sistent  with  strict  honor.  I  believe  they  are  very  willing 
to  promise  most  solemnly  not  to  take  up  arms  on  either 
side.  I  wish  you  would  do  these  gentlemen  all  the  service 

r  Richard  Gary,  of  Washington's  military  family. 

2  Probably  James  Jauncey  of  New  York,  who  with  his  wife  and  son 
were  sent  as  prisoners  to  Middletown,  Connecticut.    At  first  inclined 
to  take  the  Whig  side,  he  remained  loyal  to  the  King,  and  suffered  in 
person  and  in  property.    He  went  to  England. 

3  A  merchant  of  New  York,  and  with  Jay,  a  member  of  the  Com 
mittee  of  Correspondence.    Arrested,  he  was  allowed  to  go  to  Middle- 
town  on  parole,  and  later,  to  England.    He  died  at  Waterford,  Ireland, 
in  1810.    In   1768  he  was  associated  with  his  brother,  Hugh,  and  had 
his  counting  house  in  Burnet's  Street. 

4  Miles  Sherbrooke,  who  had  long  and  close  relation  with  the  Webbs. 
The  firm,  Perry,  Hayes  &  Sherbrooke,  was  on  Bayard  Street. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  25 

in  your  power.  I  am  told  one  Mr.  Hamlinton  1  and  Mr. 
Youngs  2  that  was  taken  up  with  these  gentlemen,  are 
released.  If  this  is  the  case  they  have  reason  to  expect  a 
releasement  soon.  Indeed  I  can't  think  it  will  be  of  the 
least  benefit  in  the  world  to  keep  'em  here.  Let  me  hear 
from  you  by  Saturday  night,  and  should  be  glad  of  an 
answer  as  to  the  letter  wrote  for  Mr.  Jauncy. 

I  have  the  disagreeable  news  to  tell  you  that  Barny's  3 
brig  is  taken.  The  people  took  to  their  boats  and  are  ar 
rived  home.  At  the  same  time  I  have  the  pleasure  to  tell 
you  that  my  Brig 4  is  arrived  at  Philadelphia  with  the 
cargoes  for  both  vessels,  as  far  as  the  Continent  as  con 
cerned.  Tomorrow  I  shall  write  you  by  Mr.  Simeon 
Deane.5  Forget  not  these  two  gentlemen  who  are  so  anx 
ious  to  return,  and  not  to  harm  the  country. 

I  am,  dear  Sammy,  Your  most  affectionate  brother, 

JOSEPH  WEBB. 

1  Captain  Archibald  Hamilton,  to  whom  permission  was  first  given 
to  reside  at  New  Brunswick,  and  afterwards  to  return  to  his  home. 
Journals  of  the  Continental  Congress  (Ford),  V,  671,  809.    His  examina 
tion  is  in  the  New  York  Calendar  of  Historical  Manuscripts  relating  to 
the  War  of  the  Revolution,  I,  360. 

2  Isaac,  Israel  or  Joseph  Youngs. 

3  The  brig  was  in  all  likelihood  the  property  of  or  was  commanded 
by  Barnabas  Deane. 

4  Joseph  Webb's  schooner,  the  Fox,  commanded  by  James  Mitchell, 
had  sailed  for  the  West  Indies  in  April,  but  on  his  own  venture.    As 
trading  vessels  were  tempted  to  engage  in  the  importation  of  war  sup 
plies,  the  Fox  may  have  been  upon  such  a  voyage. 

6  Brother  of  Silas  Deane, 


26  FAMILYLETTERS 

FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH. 

NORTH  CASTLE,  Nov.  nth,  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  received  yours  of  yesterday.  You  may  depend  on  my 
attending  to  your  affairs,  and  I  will  write  you  as  soon  as  I 
am  well  informed  of  their  situation.  I  believe  they  are 
all  safe. 

I  shall  be  much  obliged  to  you  to  attend  to  the  inclosed 
advertisement,  as  you  will  see  by  it  I  have  lost  my  horse, 
and  it  will  be  a  great  disappointment,  and  a  loss  that  I 
am  not  willing  to  put  up  with,  as  I  have  lately  met  with 
several  others.  Perhaps  the  horse  may  be  bro't  to  Head 
Quarters  for  sale,  as  he  is  so  good  a  one. 

I  am  very  unwell  with  a  pain  in  my  head  and  breast, 
a  spitting  of  blood,  &c.  I  expect  to  go  home  in  two  days, 
and  if  you  have  any  commands  prepare  them.  I  must 
return  as  soon  as  I  have  put  my  affairs  in  order  there, 
but  not  to  stay.  I  am  determined  not  to  be  in  a  situation 
so  very  disagreeable  as  I  have  been  lately.  I  wish  you 
would  return  my  letter  from  Tracy,  and  let  me  know 
what  His  Excellency's  opinion  of  Genl.  Bell's  conduct  is. 
I  wish  to  have  it  remembered  that  I  sent  that  letter  to 
Head  Quarters,  and  for  the  reason  that  much  loss  has 
happened  and  great  waste  has  been  made  of  the  stores 
since  I  have  been  moving  them;  and  in  some  future  time 
when  these  losses  appear  it  may  be  forgot  that  those 
people  whose  duty  it  was  to  have  guarded  the  magazines 
neglected  them,  to  say  no  worse  of  it,  and  the  blame  may 
ly  at  my  door,  and  it  is  not  impossible  but  I  may  loose  my 
character  if  not  my  estate.  If  His  Excellency  was  to 
write  something  on  this  matter,  setting  forth  the  circum- 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  27 

stances  attending  th^moving  the  stores  and  the  difficul 
ties  and  losses  ne^fcsarily  attending  such  a  sudden  move 
ment,  I  think  it  would  secure  me  from  future  blame  or 
loss.  I  do  not  want  to  make  any  other  use  of  it  but  to 
secure  me  if  I  am  called,  and  never  will  show  it  unless  I 
am  obliged  to  for  my  own  safety;  and  this  I  will  not  ex 
pect  if  the  General  has  the  least  doubt  about  the  pro 
priety  of  it,  and  you  will  mention  it  in  your  own  time  and 
way,  but  the  sooner  the  better  for  me.  At  any  rate  write 
me,  tell  me  the  news,  &c.  Give  my  compliments  to  Col. 
Gary,  and  tell  him  the  Girl  has  got  a  pain  in  her  head, 
and  I  am  afraid  she  is  pineing  after  him.  He  is  a  sad  Dog, 
a  very  sad  Dog,  to  offer  to  touch  any  of  the  Commissary 
stores.  Girls  come  within  the  article  of  stores,  especially 
when  they  are  in  his  hired  house.  I  have  courted  her  for 
him  ever  since  he  went  away.  I  dont  know  but  she 
will  send  him  word  to  come  back,  but  she  has  not 
promised  me  to  do  so  yet.  When  she  does  I  will  send  him 
word. 

If  you  dont  go  from  Peeks  Kill  soon  I  shall  see  you,  as 
I  must  see  Gen.  Mifflin  before  I  go  to  Connect.  I  am, 
Dear  Sir,  Your  most  obdt  Servt., 

JERE  WADSWORTH. 

Addressed:  Col.  Sam.  B.  Webb,  Aid  de  Camp  to  His  Excelly.  Gen. 
Washington,  Peeks  Kill. 


FROM  THOMAS  MIFFLIN. 

Colonel  Webb  has  his  Excellency's  General  Washing 
ton's  Orders  to  appropriate  so  much  of  the  Scarlet  Cloath- 
ing  (taken  from  the  Enemy  at  sea)  as  will  be  sufficient  to 


28  FAMILYLETTERS 

cloath   One  Regiment.     The   said    Cloathing   to    be    set 
apart  for  his  Regiment. 

THOMAS  MIFFLIN, 
Q.  M.  G. 

[MORRISTOWN,]  January  18,  1777. 


FROM  THOMAS  MuMFORD.1 

GROTON,  4th  March,  1777. 
Dear  Sir: 

Captain  Mumford  informs  me  he  was  told  by  Captain 
Saltonstall,2  you  want  some  active  young  gentlemen  for 
subaltern  officers  in  your  Regiment.  I  have  a  desire  to 
give  every  aid  and  assistance  in  my  power  in  the  present 
contest.  My  son  3  the  (bearer  of  this)  waits  on  you  to 
offer  himself  for  what  you  think  him  capable  to  undertake. 
He  is  young,  and  not  the  best  constitution;  however  he 
inherits  his  Father  and  Mother's  sentiments  to  give  every 
aid  and  assistance  in  his  power.  Money  is  not  our  ruling 
passion  at  this  day.  My  son,  if  you  find  him  worthy, 
shall  have  leave  to  draw  on  me  while  in  the  service  for 
such  sums  as  he  may  need.  I  could  wish  he  was  a  few 
years  older,  but  with  your  good  advice  and  direction  I 
hope  he  may  be  of  some  service  in  the  General  Cause.  I 
hope  and  depend,  if  you  employ  him,  you  will  take  a 
fatherly  care  of  him.  I  will  thank  you  to  tell  him  what 
method  he  shall  pursue  before  he  marches,  to  inform  him- 

1  A  merchant  at  Groton,  Connecticut,  and  one  of  eleven  men  who 
in  April,  1775,  conceived  the  plan  of  an  attack  on  Ticonderoga. 

2  Dudley  or  Nathaniel  Saltonstall. 

3  Giles  Mumford.    On  January  1, 1777,  he  was  commissioned  a  lieu 
tenant  in  Webb's  regiment,  and  was  captured  by  the  British  with  his 
commander.    He  resigned  from  the  service  May  27,  1779. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  2Q 

self  of  his  duty  when  in  service.  My  best  wishes  attend 
you  and  the  American  cause,  and  believe  me,  Very 
sincerely,  Dear  Sir,  Your  real  and  affectionate, 

THOMAS  MUNFORD. 

Addressed:     To   Colo.    Samuel    B.   Webb,   Esq.,   in  Weathersfield. 
Per  Mr.  Giles  Mumford. 


JAMES  BOWDOIN  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON.1 

BOSTON,  April  21,  1777. 

(Duplicate) 
Sir: 

Your  Excellency,  I  believe,  is  not  unacquainted  with  the 
great  loss  sustained  by  Mr.  Temple  in  the  damage  done 
to  his  farm  by  the  American  army.  I  have  since  seen  the 
farm,  and  though  I  had  had  an  exaggerated  account,  as 
I  then  thought  it  must  be,  of  that  damage,  yet  when  I 
beheld  it,  it  greatly  exceeded  my  apprehension  of  it.  I 
have  seen  his  account  against  the  United  States  for  the 
damage,  and  he  assures  me  he  has  made  it  out  conscien 
tiously;  deviating  from  truth  in  no  other  respect  than 
setting  the  articles  at  a  less  rate  than  they  were  bona  fide 
worth;  and  that  the  sum  of  his  account  will  be  inade 
quate  to  the  re-establishing  his  farm  in  the  same  good 
state  in  which  it  was  in  March,  1775.  Mr.  Temple  in 
tends  his  account  should  be  laid  before  your  Excellency, 
and  would  be  much  [  ]  to  you  for  recommending  it 

to  the  speedy  consideration  of  General  Mifflin,  the  Quarter 

1  A  holograph.  Sir  John  Temple,  whose  somewhat  troubled  experi 
ences  may  be  read  in  the  Bow  (loin-Temple  Papers,  printed  by  the 
Mass.  Historical  Society  (Collections,  Ser.  6,  IX  and  Ser.  7,  VI).  Gov 
ernor  Bowdoin  was  his  father-in-law. 


3O  FAMILYLETTERS 

Master  General.     Justice  and  a  due  regard  for  an  honest 
man  induce  me  to  join  with  him  in  asking  this  favor. 

Wishing  your  Excellency  the  success  your  character 
and  the  common  cause  merit,  I  have  the  honor  to  be  with 
the  greatest  esteem,  Sir,  Your  Excellency's  most  obedient 
humble  servant, 

JAMES  BOWDOIN. 


ENLISTMENT  RECEIPT. 

Received  i6th  June,  1777  of  Edward  Bulkley,  Thirty- 
six  pounds  sterling  money,  for  which  sum  I  have  enlisted 
myself  a  soldier  to  serve  during  the  war  in  Col.  Webb's 
battalion. 

PRINTIS  STORES.1 
£36.  o  Copy 


FROM  ZABDIEL  ROGERS. 

NORWICH,  28th  June,  1777. 
Dear  Sir: 

Mr.  Andrew  Huntington  2  neglected  calling  on  me  for 
the  articles  you  desired  to  be  forwarded.  But  accidentally 
I  saw  the  team  with  the  tents  passing  by,  so  have  sent 
them  by  Mr.  Peck,  the  bearer,  who  was  with  the  team: 

The  Articles  are  3^  yds  White  Drilling,  2  Table  Cloths, 
I  pr.  White  Silk  Hose,  2  pr.  Fine  Thread  do.,  2  fine  Linnen 

1  This  name  is  not  found  on  any  muster  roll  printed  in  the  Record  of 
Connecticut  Men,  1775—1783;   but  he  drew  a  pension  for  service  in  the 
war,  and  then  resided  in  New  York. 

2  He  was  in  the  town  of  Preston,  and  on  the  Lexington  alarm  turned 
out  for  service  during  three  days.    A  brother  of  Jedidiah  Huntington, 
he  served  as  a  commissary  of  brigade. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  3! 

Handkerchiefs,  I  Ib.  Hyson  Tea.  2^  yds.  White  Broad 
Cloth,  delivered  General  Jedidiah  Huntington,  who  en 
gaged  to  deliver  it  you. 

For  the  above  you  will  account  with  Thomas  Mumford, 
Esq.  Hope  they  will  come  safe  to  hand.  Am  in  great 
haste  Dear  Sir,  Your  very  humble  servant, 

ZABDIEL  ROGERS -1 

Addressed:   Colo  Samuel  Webb  Wethersfield.    Per  Mr.  Peck. 


FROM  JOHN  PALSGRAVE  WYLLYS.2 

In  the  winter  campaign  of  .1776  served  in  the  post  of 
Adjutant  to  Col.  Woolcott's  Regiment.  In  the  follow 
ing  month  of  June,  was  appointed  Major  of  Brigade  to 
the  Brigade  of  new  Levies,  commanded  by  General  Wads- 
worth,  which  rank  I  enjoyed  until  the  honor  of  a  Cap 
taincy  conferred  on  me  in  Col.  S.  B.  Webb's  Regiment. 

I  am,  Gentlemen,  with  the  greatest  respect  your  humble 
servant, 

J.  P.  WYLLYS. 

To  the  Field  Officers  of  Col.  Saml.  B.  Webb's  Regiment.  Camp  at 
Peekskill,  July  15,  1777. 


1  Of  the  Connecticut  Militia.    He  was  a  colonel  in  1781. 

2  This  must  refer  to  some  dispute  in  rank.     Wyllys  was  commis 
sioned  a  captain  in  Webb's  regiment,  January  I,  1777,  and  no  mention 
is  found  of  previous  service. 


32  FAMILYLETTERS 

To  MRS.  SIMPSON. 

CAMP  PEEKS  KILL  HEIGHTS,  26th  July,  1777. 
My  Dear  Sister: 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Livingston  1  of  my  Regiment  is  this 
moment  going  with  a  flag  to  New  York,  and  if  permission 
is  given  him  to  go  into  the  city,  he  will  wait  on  you.  I 
have  only  time  to  say  your  friends  in  Connecticut  are  all 
well.  I  left  them  about  three  weeks  past,  and  by  this 
conveyance  they  will  be  happy  to  hear  from  you.  Re 
member  me  with  sentiments  of  esteem  and  affection  to 
Mr.  Simpson,  Miss  Simpson,  and  compliments  where 
due. 

In  haste  I  am  as  ever  your  Very  Affectionate  Brother, 

[SAMUEL  B.  WEBB.] 

P.  S.     Mrs.  Deane  died  in  June.2 


FROM  HENDRICK  BOERUM. 

CAMP,  FISH  KILL,  November  I,  1777. 

Received  of  Col.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  two  hundred  and 
five  dollars  in  full,  for  a  certain  black  horse  which  I  war 
rant  him  sound,  wind,  limb,  &c. 

HENDRICK  BOERUM. 3 


1  William  S.  Livingston.     A  number  of  his  letters  are  in  Webb, 
Correspondence  and  Journals. 

2  Wife  of  Silas  Deane,  but  not  Webb's  mother. 

8  He  was  of  the  2d  Regiment,  Dutchess  County  Militia,  Colonel 
Abraham  Brinkerhoff,  commanding. 


SAMUEL    BLACHLEYWEBB  33 

FROM  JONATHAN  HASTINGS,  JR. 

BOSTON,  6th  November,  1777. 
Dear  Colonel: 

Yours  of  the  3Oth  ultimo  has  come  safe  to  hand,  with 
one  inclosed  for  Miss  T.,  which  was  forwarded  imme 
diately.  This  is  only  the  second  received  to  my  very 
great  astonishment;  but  my  surprise  would  not  have  been 
so  great,  had  not  a  lady  promised  herself  Happiness  from 
your  Lucubrations  weekly.  It  stands  you  now  in  hand 
to  be  punctual  and  persevering,  as  many  Red  Coats  will 
be  thereabouts,  but  sat  verbum  sapienti. 

I  remain  yours  sincerely, 

JONA.  HASTINGS,  JuNR.1 

Addressed:    Samuel  B.  Webb,  Esq.,  at  Fishkill. 


FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH. 

HARTFORD,  November  9th,  1777. 
Dear  Sir: 

Last  Tuesday  I  received  part  of  a  letter  from  you  to 
which  this  is  an  answer.  I  thank  you  for  it,  however.  If 
you  will  now  begin  and  correspond  like  a  man,  I  will  give 
letter  for  letter,  but  while  you  only  write  what  you  can 
not  avoid,  I  will  count,  and  you  shall  have  word  for  word. 
I  have  a  deal  of  news,  but  wont  tell  you  any.  Now  if  I 
had  ever  so  great  an  inclination  this  letter  must  be  short, 
for  without  news  I  am  nothing  in  the  letter  way.  I  have 
a  very  fruitless  noddle.  The  little  girl  I  ran  away  with  is 

1  Five  of  this  name  are  found  in  the  Massachusetts  Soldiers  and 
Sailors  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution. 


34  FAMILYLETTERS 

well,  and  sends  her  compliments  to  you  and  Major  Himt- 
ington.  She  desires  me  to  tell  you  the  Miss  Johnsons  are 
in  health.  She  heard  from  Sally  this  evening.  I  am  etc. 

JERE  WADSWORTH. 

Who  do  you  think  wrote  the  above  letter,  Sam? 1  If 
you  cannot  find  out  get  the  Major  2  to  guess,  and  if  he 
cannot  tell  ask  General  Huntington.3 

J.  WADSWORTH. 

Addressed:  Col.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Horseneck. 


JOHN  ELY*  TO  MUMFORD  AND  SHAW. 

On  Board  the  Falcon  off 

NEW  PORT,  December  14,  1777. 
Gentlemen: 

By  this  you  are  Informd  that  I  Embarkd  on  Board  the 
Sloop  Schuyler  at  Norwalk  the  Evening  after  the  Qth 
Instant,  stood  over  for  Long  Island,  the  Night  being  Dark 
prevented  our  makeing  Harbour.  Early  in  the  Morning 
Discover  a  Ship  Bearing  Down  uppon  us  uppon  which 
we  Held  our  Wind  Endeavouring  to  make  our  Escape 
but  Finding  it  Impossible  the  sea  runing  High,  we  had  no 
Other  Alternative  but  to  run  the  sloop  on  shore  which  we 
did  near  Old  mans  Harbour,  in  hopes  to  make  our  Escape 
in  our  Boat.  Unhappy[ly]  However  the  Boat  Imediately 

1  The  first  part  of  the  letter  is  by  a  feminine  hand,  probably  that  of 
Mrs.  Wadsworth. 

2  Wyllys. 

3  Jedidiah  Huntington. 

4  Ely  was  in  command  of  a  State  Regiment  in  June,  1777,  and  thus 
made  his  report  to  the  agents  of  the  State  of  Connecticut.     Webb's 
report  was  made  to  General  Heath.     See  Webb,  Correspondence  and 
Journals,  I,  399. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  35 

Filled  along  side  by  which  means  Col.  Webb  and  several 
others  were  nearly  Drowned.  Those  Circumstances  obliged 
us  to  strike  and  submitt  ourselves  Prisoners  of  war.  The 
ship  at  this  Time  had  come  too  within  gun  shott  of  us, 
sent  theire  Boats  on  Board  and  Carryed  us  on  Board  the 
Falcon,  commanded  by  Capt.  Harmwood,  where  we  now 
Continue.  Expect  to  be  sent  to  New  York  the  first  Fair 
wind.  We  have  the  Greatest  Clemency  Liberality  and 
Justice  Done  us  by  Every  Officer  on  Board.  You  are 
Desired  to  make  manifest  to  my  Family  and  Friends  my 
Situation  and  shall  be  Glad  of  your  Influence  to  Facili 
tate  the  matter  of  my  Exchange  as  it  appears  Probable 
to  me  Col.  DeLancy  Being  a  Militia  Officer  will  Finally 
be  Considered  as  a  Propper  Subject  for  the  above  Pur 
pose.  Ensigns  Abbot,  Niles,  Adjutant  West,  and  about 
30  Privates  are  Prisoners  belonging  to  my  Battalion. 
Capt.  Buckley,  Lieut.  Riley,  Ensign  Mumford,  Adjutant 
Hopkins,  4  Sergeants  and  16  Privates  Belonging  to  Col. 
Webb's  Battallion.  I  am,  Gent.,  your  Humble  Servt. 

JOHN  ELY. 

Addressed:    To  Thomas  Mumford  and  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Esq.     To 
the  care  of  Col.  Peck.1 


JABEZ  HUNTINGTON  TO  GOVERNOR  TRUMBULL^ 
Hon'd  Sir:  NORWICH,  Deer.  14,  1777. 

I  am  this  moment  Informed  that  Brig.  Genl.  Parsons 
was  Last  night  on  Long  Island  at  Oster  Pond  Point,  with 

1  From  the  Trumbull  Papers,  in  the  Mass.  Hist.  Soc. 

2  "A  letter  of  the  I4th  from  Norwich  informs  that  B.  General  Par 
sons  was  last  night  at  Oyster  Pond  point  on  Long  Island,  with  about 
three  hundred  officers  and  men  in  want  of  aid  from  N.  London  to 
bring  them  off.     One  of  our  transports,  Colo.  Webb.  Colo.  Ely,  and 


36  FAMILYLETTERS 

about  three  hund'd  officers  and  men,  and  was  in  want  of 
some  aid  from  New  London  to  Bring  off  his  Men.  Have 
Dispatched  Majr.  Joshua  Huntington  with  Orders  to  the 
Commanding  Officers  of  the  Forts  at  N.  London  and 
Groton  to  afford  all  proper  Assistance,  which  the  Mes 
senger  told  me  they  were  ready  to  do  on  Rect.  of  Orders 
from  your  Excellency  or  from  me. 

Have  also  wrote  to  M[umford]  and  Shaw  to  advise  on 
the  Affair.  Trust  Everything  that  can  be  done  from  that 
Quarter  will  be  properly  executed  and  with  Despatch. 
Am  informed  that  one  of  our  Transports  is  taken  and 
Carried  into  New  Port  and  Colo.  Ely  and  Colo.  Webb  and 
Sundry  other  Officers  on  Board. 

Majr.  Ebenezer  Huntington  Escaped  from  Long  Island 
Last  Night  and  Brought  off  with  him  about  Eighty  of  his 
Men  and  arrived  at  N.  London  before  Day.  As  soon  as  I 
have  further  advice  shall  Inform.  Interim  I  remain  with 
Esteem  and  Regard  your  Excellency's  Humb.  Servt., 

Jz.  HUNTINGTON. 

P.  S.  If  any  Intelligence  has  come  to  hand  since  I  Left 
Lebanon,  should  be  Obliged  to  your  Excellency  to  advise.1 


JABEZ  HUNTINGTON  TO  GOVERNOR  TRUMBULL^ 
£>r    gir.  NORWICH,  Dec.  19,  1777. 

These  come  per  Colo.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  who  was  taken  a 
Prisoner  last  week  and  sent  to  Newport.    He  has  obtained 

sundry  other  officers  on  board  is  taken  by  the  enemy  and  carried  to 
Newport."  Governor  Trumbull  to  Governor  Gates,  December  15,  1777. 
7  Mass.  Hist.  Collections,  II,  203. 

1  From  the  Trumbull  Papers,  in  the  Mass.  Hist.  Soc. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  37 

Liberty  to  come  out  on  Parole  to  obtain  his  Exchange  for 
Lieut.  Colo.  Combel.1  As  he  was  taken  per  the  Oliver 
Crumwel  belonging  to  this  State  it  seems  to  fall  under 
your  Excellency's  Jurisdiction  to  Determine  about  the 
Exchange,  and  as  Colo.  Webb  has  obtained  Liberty  from 
the  Commanding  Officer  at  Newport,  thinks  he  is  intitled 
to  the  Changes  and  would  propose  wheather  Colo.  Ely 
might  not  be  Exchanged  for  Colo.  Delance  if  application 
was  made  to  Gen.  Putnam.  All  which  is  Submitted  to 
your  Excellency  and  remain  with  Esteem  and  regard, 
your  Excellency's  Humble  Servt., 

Jz.    HuNTINGTON. 


FROM  NATHAN  BLODGET. 

BOSTON,  8  January,  1778. 
Sir: 

Messrs.    Livingston    and    Turnbull    informed    me    that 
they   delivered   to  you   for  your  Regiment   500   hunting 
shirts,  500  waist  coats,  and  500  pair  overhalls,  for  which 
you  had  given  no  receipt;  and  as  it  is  my  business  to  apply 
for  one,  shall  thank  you  for  it  as  soon  as  convenient. 
Compliments  to  your  brother  Jack,  if  at  home. 
I  am,  Sir,  Your  most  obedient  servant, 

NATHAN  BLODGET, 
Issuing  Commissary  Cloathing. 

Addressed:    To    Colonel    Samuel    B.  Webb,   Weathersfield,    Con 
necticut. 


1  Archibald  Campbell,  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  71  st  Regiment. 


38  FAMILYLETTERS 

JOSEPH  BARTON  TO  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  understand  the  letter  I  wrote  some  time  past  to  the 
Governor  of  this  State,  which  letter  was  delivered  by  your 
self,  has  been  the  occasion  of  some  affront  to  his  Excel- 
ency  which  I  am  sorry  for.  I  understand  it  is  determined 
to  send  the  letter  or  the  copy  to  New  York,  for  some 
reasons  to  me  unknown.  I  could  wish  there  might  be  no 
difficulty  about  it,  if  its  in  your  power,  Sir,  to  hinder  any 
that  may  arise  as  to  the  letter.  When  I  showed  it  you, 
wished  if  you  thought  there  was  anything  in  the  letter 
that  the  Governor  would  be  affronted,  wished  you  not  to 
deliver  it.  I  remember  you  told  me  you  were  sorry  you 
did  deliver  the  letter,  as  it  seemed  not  to  take  the  effect 
you  could  wish  it  to  do.  By  your  letting  the  Governor 
know  what  was  my  directions  concerning  the  letter,  he 
will  be  assured  it  was  the  least  of  my  design  to  give  any 
offence.  My  troubles,  losses  and  abuses  of  my  family 
and  friends  puts  me  half  the  time  that  I  scarcely  know  or 
think  what  I  write. 

I  am,  sir,  Your  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

Jos.  BARTON,  Lt.  Col. 

January  the  gth  1777  [1778.] 

Addressed:    Mr.  Joseph  Webb,  Wethersfield. 


FROM  JOHN  HART.1 
Dear  Sir*  SAYBROOK,  February  6th,  1778. 

I  conclude  the  time  of  your  staying  at  Weathersfield  is 
nearly  up.     Should  have  been  glad  to  have  settled  our 

1  Captain  in  Webb's  regiment,  commissioned  January  I,  1777,  and 
resigned  in  1780.    He  had  earlier  seen  service  in  the  militia. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  39 

accounts  first,  but  dont  expect  to  see  you  before  your 
return.  As  there  is  now  an  opportunity  of  trying  for  sol 
diers  with  some  prospect  of  success,  if  you  will  leave  our 
accounts  with  your  brother,  I  can  settle  them  with  him, 
when  I  go  to  Weathersfield.  I  have  considerable  money 
due  from  the  officers  of  the  Regiment,  and  when  I  have 
collected  that,  I  believe  I  shall  be  able  to  pay  nearly  the 
balance;  if  not  you  must  take  my  note  till  I  can.  I  have 
had  no  success  in  recruiting  since  I  returned;  but  hope  to 
stand  a  good  chance  when  the  draughts  are  made.  Wish 
ing  you  an  agreeable  captivity,  and  a  speedy  exchange,  I 
remain  Your  friend  and  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  HARTE. 

P.  S.     Please  to  make  my  compliments  to  Capt.  Bulk- 
ley1  and  all  our  brother  officers  in  New  York. 

J.  H. 

Addressed:  Collo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Weathersfield.    Per  Mr.  Lynch. 


THOMAS  MUMFORD  TO  GOVERNOR  TRUMBULL. 

HARTFOPD,  i8th  February,    1778. 
Sir, 

You  will  Receive  this  by  the  Hand  of  Colo.  Ely,  who  I 
have  the  pleasure  to  see  Returned  to  this  State,  with  the 
assistance  of  friends  (among  whom  I  am  informed  Colo. 
Delancey  was  not  the  Least)  he  obtained  his  parole,  as 
has  several  other  officers,  among  whom  is  my  Son,  the 
Conditions  of  which  are  to  return  when  called  for.  Mr. 
Webb  and  Colo.  Ely  will  give  your  Excelency  every  in- 

1  Edward  Bulkley,  of  Wethersfield. 


40  FAMILYLETTERS 

formation  necessary.  They  inform  me  Colo.  Delancy 
behaved  with  the  utmost  Honor  and  Politeness,  and  I 
find  he  has  Returned  agreeable  to  his  Parole  to  your 
Excelency,  tho  urged  by  Mr.  Boudinot,  our  Commissary 
of  Prisoners,  to  Remain  in  New  York,  that  some  Southern 
Colo  might  come  out  in  his  Stead.  I  hope  his  Conduct 
will  meet  your  Excelency's  Approbation,  and  that  you  will 
give  Leave  for  him  to  Return  imediately  to  New  York  on 
Parole  similar  to  Colo.  Ely's.  That  I  think  would  not 
only  prevent  Colo.  Ely's  being  Remanded,  but  the  other 
officers  that  came  out  of  New  York  with  him,  and  I  am 
quite  Convinced  unless  your  Excelency  permits  Colo. 
Delancey  to  Return  imediately,  all  those,  our  Officers,  will 
be  Called  for  soon.  Your  favour  herein  I  shall  esteem  an 
Obligation  conferred  on  your  most  Obedient  and  very 
Hum.  Servant, 

.    MUMFORD.1 


FROM  TERENCE  MCDERMOTT. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  shall  take  it  as  a  favor  if  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  call 
on  me  tomorrow,  as  I  conceive  you  misunderstood  some 
part  of  my  conversation  with  you  yesterday. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  great  esteem  .Your  most  obedient 
humble  servant, 

T.  MCDERMOTT,  35th. 
February  the  27th,  1 778.2 

Addressed:   To  Col:  Webb,  Mr.  Shearbrooks,  New  York. 

1  From  the  Trumbull  Papers,  in  the  Mass.  Hist.  Soc. 

2  Endorsement  shows  that  McDermott  was  an  ensign  and  that  the 
letter  was  written  from  Brooklyn.    His  capture  is  mentioned  in  Webb, 
Correspondence  and  Journals,  I,  101   n.     He  was  described  by  Com- 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEYWEBB  4! 

FROM  SARAH  SIMPSON.  1 

Friday  I  o'clock. 
Dear  Brother: 

By  Capt.  Delancy2  you  will  receive  this.  He  expects 
to  leave  town3  this  afternoon  or  tomorrow  early.  He  will 
be  able  to  give  you  a  particular  account  of  your  friends  in 
this  part  of  the  world.  Am  happy  to  hear  that  you  have 
so  agreeable  a  home  as  our  good  friend  Mr.  Sherbrooke's; 
with  them  you  cannot  be  unhappy.  We  received  your 
letter  by  Mr.  Winslow,4  who  arrived  here  Sunday  and 
left  us  the  day  following  for  Boston.  Was  very  thankful 
that  you  lent  him  your  horses,  which  forwarded  his  journey 
greatly.  I  advise  you  to  be  in  your  usual  spirits,  ever 
cheerful,  which  is  a  great  promoter  of  health.  I  dare  say 
that  it  will  not  be  long  before  you  get  exchange  and  return 
to  your  much  loved  friends,  who  daily  wish  to  see  you. 
Jack  has  been  with  us  ever  since  you  left  Wethersfield; 
expects  to  leave  us  next  week.  He  was  very  sorry  not  to 
find  you  here.  I  was  in  hopes  that  we  might  have  once 
more  met  together  after  an  absence  of  four  years.  Do  my 
dear  Brother  improve  every  opportunity  of  writing  me. 
I  shall,  as  knowing  they  must  afford  you  pleasure  not- 


missary  of  Prisoners  Loring  as  "at  this  moment  no  more  than  a  volun 
teer  in  our  service,  and  I  cannot  send  a  commissioned  officer  for  him." 
He  had  given  his  parole  and  went  to  New  York  to  secure  an  exchange, 
which  appears  to  have  been  accomplished  in  January,  1778. 

1  Now  a  widow,  but  the  date  of  her  husband's  death  at  New  York 
is  not  known. 

2  Probably  Oliver  De  Lancey,  Jr.,  whose  treatment  of  Brigadier 
General  Woodhull  when  in  his  power  has  been  stigmatized  as  base  and 
cruel. 

3  Wethersfield. 

4  John  Winslow,  Deputy  Commissary  of  Prisoners. 


42  FAMILYLETTERS 

withstanding  I  have  nothing  new  or  entertaining  for  you, 
yet  it's  from  a  friend  and  sister  who  thinks  her  greatest 
earthly  treasure  is  her  friends.  When  deprived  of  them, 
adieu  to  all  happiness. 

Brother  Josey  returned  safe,  no  accident  attending  his 
journey.  Was  disappointed  at  not  seeing  you.  Believe 
he  will  write  you  by  this  opportunity.  If  agreeable  to  you, 
my  dear  Sammy,  would  be  greatly  obliged  if  you  would 
get  our  friend  Mrs.  Sherbrooke  to  procure  ten  yards  of 
the  best  Russel  or  Caliminco,  2  yards  of  fine  white  flannel, 
I  pair  of  thick  fine  black  silk  mitts,  i  piece  narrow  black 
ribin  such  as  will  do  for  apron  strings,  3  yards  of  common 
callico  that  will  do  for  Jack's  jams.  These  things  I  really 
want,  other  ways  I  would  not  trouble  you.  Send  them 
when  you  think  they  will  come  safe,  and  you  will  oblige 
me  exceedingly.  Remember  my  compliments  to  Mr. 
Sherbrooke  and  lady,  and  except  of  my  tenderest  love  to 
yourself.  I  remain  your  sincere  friend  and  most  affec 
tionate  Sister, 

SARAH  SIMPSON. 

WETHERSFIELD,  February  28th,  1778. 


FROM  MEHITABEL  WEBB. 

Friday  Evening,  February  28,  [1778.] 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  have  just  heard  that  Col.  Delancy  sets  off  for  New 
York  in  the  morning.  I  could  not  let  so  good  an  oppor 
tunity  pass  without  writing  a  few  lines,  to  assure  you 
that  we  all  are  every  hour  wishing  for  you  again  with  us. 
But  alas  how  unavailing  are  they;  but  we  must  make  our- 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  43 

selves  easy  untill  you  are  exchanged,  which  I  flatter  myself 
will  be  before  a  great  while.  You  may  perhaps  think  from 
what  I  have  said  that  we  have  some  prospect  of  a  speedy 
exchange;  but  that  is  not  the  case;  but  I  think  it  right  to 
hope  the  best,  not  to  anticipate  evils.  I  was  very  anxious 
about  you  untill  Sunday  last;  then  your  kind  letter  ar 
rived  and  dispelled  all  my  anxiety  on  your  account.  How 
happy  you  are  to  be  in  so  amiable  a  family  as  our  worthy 
friend  Mr.  S[herbrooke];  him  I  know  and  have  the  greatest 
esteem  for.  His  lady  is  a  fine  woman,  I  am  not  unac 
quainted  with  her  virtues  altho  I  am  to  her  person.  In 
company  with  such  agreeable  people  you  cannot  but  be 
content,  I  had  almost  said  happy;  but  I  hardly  think  it 
possible  for  a  prisoner  to  be  really  happy.  Do  not  let 
your  spirits  sink  for  everything  depends  on  keeping 
them  up. 

Your  friends  at  the  other  house  are  well  and  desire  to  be 
remembered.  They  have  been  much  with  us  of  late.  The 
Major  is  with  his  friends.  It  is  a  week  since  he  left  us. 

Mr.  L 1  and  Col.  S—  — n  are  expected  this  evening. 

Indeed  we  have  looked  for  them  for  this  week  past.  They 
have  paid  Boston  a  much  longer  visit  than  they  talked 
off  when  they  left  us.  Should  you  see  my  friend  Miss 
Howard,  give  my  love  to  the  good  girl  and  tell  her  that  I 
want  much  to  see  her;  that  I  often  think  of  the  many 
happy  days  we  have  spent  together  at  our  good  Mrs. 
Howdings.  Ask  her  too,  if  you  please,  what  is  become  of 
Miss  Mobson,  that  was  one  of  our  happy  family.  I  have 
never  heard  one  word  from  her  since  we  parted  in  Boston. 
I  loved  the  good  little  girl  and  should  be  happy  to  know 
that  she  got  safe  to  her  friends.  I  am  called.  Adieu,  my 
dear  Brother,  may  you  soon  be  returned  to  your  anxious 


44  FAMILYLETTERS 

friends,    prays   your  truly   sincere   and   ever   affectionate 
friend  and  Sister, 

H.  W. 

P.  S.     My    compliments    to    the    good    gentleman    and 
lady  that  you  are  now  with. 

Mrs.  Simpson's  love  to  Miss  Howard. 

Addressed:   Colonel  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York. 


FROM  ELISHA  HOPKINS. 

FLAT  BUSH,  I  March,  1778. 
Dear  Sir: 

Desirous  to  hear  from  my  friends  and  relations,  likewise 
to  receive  any  support  they  might  have  sent  by  your 
[hands],  I  have  desired  the  bearer  to  wait  upon  you  with 
this,  (as  I  understand  by  Col.  Bull l  that  it  was  uncertain 
whether  you  would  be  permitted  to  come  to  the  Island) 
to  receive  either  money  or  letters  if  you  cannot  come. 
When  Mr.  Joseph  Webb  was  in  N.  York  with  the  flag,  I 
received  neither  money  nor  letters,  which  if  should  now 
be  the  case  I  am  certainly  to  be  pitied.  I  received  from 
Mr.  Mumford  a  small  sum  to  procure  a  few  things  that  I 
was  necessitated  for,  but  at  present  am  destitute,  and  am 
indebted  for  making  a  few  shirts.  Mr.  [John]  Riley  lives 
four  miles  from  me,  but  I  saw  him  last  Thursday.  He 
was  well,  and  very  desirous  of  seeing  or  hearing  from  his 
Colonel,  which  also  is  the  ardent  wish  of  your  Adjutant. 
I  am,  dear  sir,  with  esteem  still  your  Adjt., 

ELISHA  HOPKINS. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Sam.  B.  Webb,  Prisoner,  New  York. 


1  Amos  Bull.    See  Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals,  II,  87,  91. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEYWEBB  45 

FROM  MRS.  GRANT. 

Monday  afternoon,  3  o'clock,  [NEW  YORK,  March,  1778.] 

By  this  you  will  still  find  I  am  here.  My  old  friends, 
and  the  prospect  of  the  weather  [are]  such  as  may  detain 
us  a  day  longer,  which  revives  my  drooping  spirits,  as 
you  may  imagine  them  depressed  at  the  thoughts  of  leav 
ing  all  my  friends,  perhaps  forever;  tho  I  will  not  suffer 
that  thought  to  steal  upon  me,  lest  it  should  make  an  ad 
dition  to  my  present  uneasiness.  I  am  sorry  to  find  it  out 
of  your  power  to  come  to  town,  for  the  wearing  thought 
of  restraint  is  mortifying,  in  particular  to  one  blest  with 
your  spirit.  To  attempt  coming  to  Flat  Bush  is  out  of 
my  power,  though  I  have  many  friends  there  my  heart 
wishes  to  see;  but  that  happy  sight  I  must  give  up,  and 
thank  you  for  your  kind  wishes.  Kitt  is  very  busy  but 
will  try  to  make  time  to  write.  Your  mama  and  all  sisters 
join  me  in  best  love  to  you.  May  health  and  happiness 
attend  my  friend  is  the  wish  of 

ANN  G[RANT.] 

We  will  send  you  this  days  paper. 

Addressed:    Coll.  Sam  Webb,  at  Flat  Bush. 


FROM  MRS.  GRANT. 
Monday  Morning,  12  o'clock,  [NEW  YORK,  March,  1778.] 

To  my  friend,  only  absent  a  few  hours  and  already  for 
got  by  one  who  I  least  suspect;  as  I  observed  in  Kitt's 
letter  you  have  not  thought  it  worth  your  while  to  men 
tion  my  name,  but  will  put  the  most  favorable  construc 
tion,  and  I  imagine  you  did  not  want  to  know  grief.  By 


46  FAMILYLETTERS 

the  appearance  of  the  weather  last  evening  we  found  we 
could  not  go  today,  and  as  Mrs.  Daubeny  with  some  other 
ladies  came  on  board  to  tea,  I  returned  with  them  once 
more  to  have  a  happy  sight  of  my  friends,  expecting  you 
to  be  one  in  number;  but  so  it  is  I  was  mistaken, 
which  I  am  sorry  for.  Kitt  is  gone  to  look  for  the  papers 
for  you.  I  Crazy  Brain  have  opened  your  letter  to  see 
what  you  said,  so  am  in  hopes  he  will  return  time  enough 
to  answer  it.  Mama  and  all  the  family  join  me  in  love. 
Shall  I  say  or  compliment?  Just  as  you  please,  and  be 
lieve  me  your  Sincere  friend, 

A[NN]  G[RANT.] 

Let  me  request  you  will  burn  these  scrawls  as  soon  as 
you  had  them,  for  reasons  why  you  might  possibly  drop 
them,  and  that  would  not  be  so  agreeable. 

Addressed:  Coll.  Sam  Webb,  at  Flat  Bush. 


To  SAMUEL 

-r^         0.  Saturday,  March  8,  [1778.] 

JJear  oir: 

Inclosed  is  the  bill  for  what  things  I  could  get  of  the 
memorandum  you  sent  me.  I  went  to  several  places,  but 
could  not  procure  the  smoak  beef  and  tongues.  How 
ever  will  be  looking  out  and  send  them  by  some  other 
opportunity.  Am  much  obliged  to  you  for  the  friendly 
invitation  of  coming  to  see  you,  but  it  cannot  [be]  to 
morrow.  The  Sunday  after,  if  the  weather  is  good,  I 
intend  coming.  Whatever  commands  you  may  have 

1  A  merchant  in  New  York,  who  had  close  relations  with  the  Ameri 
can  officers  while  prisoners  of  war. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  47 

here   please   freely   to    command,    Dear   Sir,    Your   most 
humble  servant, 

SAML.  CAMFIELD. 

Addressed:  To  Collo.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  at  Flatbush. 


FROM  CHRISTOPHER  MiLLER.1 

NEW  YORK,  17  March,  1778. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  received  your  friendly  letter,  and  shall  treasure  its 
contents.  I'll  exert  myself  to  bring  F.  with  me  to 
morrow  or  next  day.  The  bearer  brings  what  papers 
could  be  got.  I  dont  find  any  magazines  are  come  out. 
Gen.  Lee  goes  to  Philadelphia  by  land  in  a  few  days. 
Mr.  Lowring  and  Major  Williams  goes  with  him.  The 
General  is  fretting  at  some  symptoms  of  the  gout  he  finds 
on  him.  Mrs.  Miller  and  the  ladies  present  their  compli 
ments.  Believe  me  to  be,  dear  sir,  your  friend  and  very 
humble  servant, 

CHRIST.  MILLER. 
Addressed:  Col.  Webb,  Long  Island. 


FROM  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD. 

[NEW  YORK,]  Saturday,  March  21  st,  [1778.] 
Dear  Sir: 

I    wrote   you    last   Thursday   by   Mr.    Horsmanden's 2 
servant,    who   brought    me    a    verbal    message    from    his 

1  One  of  the  Associators  of  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1775.     See 
Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals,  II,  9,  16. 

2  Daniel    Horsmanden,   chief    justice,  who  died    in  the   following 
September.    He  occupied  a  high  position  among  lawyers,  and  was  the 


48  FAMILYLETTERS 

master,  that  he  would  be  glad  to  see  me  tomorrow.  Upon 
the  strength  of  that  I  was  obliged  to  break  my  promise 
to  you,  and  defer  spending  the  day  with  you  at  your 
habitation,  as  I  very  well  knew  that  I  should  be  the  whole 
day  employed  with  him.  His  servant  is  now  in  town  and 
tells  me  his  master  is  going  to  dine  out  tomorrow,  and 
would  be  glad  of  my  company  another  time.  And  as  you 
do  not  expect  me  after  what  I  wrote  you  on  Thursday,  I 
thought  I  could  not  with  any  propriety  come,  as  probably 
you  might  be  engaged  somewhere  yourself;  so  that  my 
not  coming  up  tomorrow  I  hope  you  will  not  impute  to 
ill  will  or  disrespect,  but  merely  to  the  reasons  before 
given.  I  remain,  Dear  Sir,  Your  very  humble  servant  to 
command, 

SAMUEL  CAMFIELD. 

P.  S.  The  armed  vessel  commanded  by  Daniel  Moore 
and  by  whom  you  wrote  Mr.  Seagrove,  was  taken  going 
up  the  Delaware  river,  and  of  course  the  letters  destroyed 
or  thrown  overboard. 

Mrs.  and  Mr.  Sherbrooke  desire  their  best  respects  to 
you,  and  I  find  they  have  given  your  paper  to  Mr.  Hors- 
manden's  servant  for  him  to  deliver  you  an  hour  ago,  so 
that  Pm  afraid  he  is  gone  over  and  by  whom  I  intended 
sending  this  letter. 

Addressed:  To  Coll.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  at  Flatbush. 


author  of  The  New  York  Conspiracy  (1742).  His  will  is  in  N.  Y.  Hist. 
Soc.  Collections,  1900,  57,  in  which  he  leaves  his  chariot  and  horses 
to  Elizabeth,  "wife  of  my  worthy  friend  Miles  Sherbrooke,  of  New 
York,  merchant,"  and  Sherbrooke  was  one  of  the  executors. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEYWEBB  49 

FROM  SARAH  SIMPSON. 

Sunday  Evening,  10  o'clock. 

With  pleasure  do  I  improve  every  opportunity  of  writ 
ing  my  dear  Brother,  whose  welfare  is  very  near  my  heart. 
Hope  that  the  time  will  soon  expire,  and  that  we  may  soon 
have  a  happy  meeting  and  converse  freely  [on]  what  has 
passed  since  our  separation.  Keep  up  your  usual  spirits; 
remember  that  we  are  all  well  and  wish  much  to  see  you. 
I  hope  that  you  have  received  my  letters  from  Col.  De- 
lancy  and  delivered  the  inclosed  ones  to  my  friends. 
Brother  Jack  has  been  home;  left  me  a  few  days  ago.  We 
heard  from  him  this  day.  He  has  grown  out  of  my  knowl 
edge,  I  think  for  the  better.  You  must  give  all  our  com 
pliments  to  Mr.  Sherbrooke  and  Lady.  Miss  C  *  who  is 
here  desires  to  be  remembered  to  Brother  Sammy,  and 
wishes  most  ardently  to  see  you.  Mrs.  Smith  who  is  the 
bearer  of  this  leaves  town  early  in  the  morning.2  She,  I 
dare  say,  can  inform  you  of  particulars  which  is  more 
than  I  can  write  at  this  time.  If  you  have  received  my 
letter  and  noted  the  contents  do  as  you  think  proper, 
and  I  will  be  content.  That  you  may  have  every  blessing 
from  indulgent  heaven  is  the  fervent  desire  of  your  friend 
and  most  affectionate  Sister, 

S.  SIMPSON. 
WETHERSFIELD,  March  22d,  1778. 

Addressed:  Col.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  at  Mr.  Sherbrook,  Esq.  New 
York.  Per  Mrs.  Smith. 


1  Chester? 

2  Mrs.  John  Smith.     She   was  going   to   New  York  to   visit    her 
mother,     having    obtained    permission     from     Governor    Trumbull. 
Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals,  II,  17. 


5O  FAMILYLETTERS 

FROM  SYLVESTER  DERiNG.1 

MIDDLETOWN,  March  22,  1778. 
Dear  Sir: 

Having  so  good  an  opportunity  by  Mrs.  Smith  of 
writing  to  New  York,  take  the  liberty  just  to  ask  you  how 
you  do,  and  to  let  you  know  that  your  friends  are  well. 
Doubtless  they  will  write  you  by  her  as  they  know  of  her 
going.  Mrs.  Smith  will  return  soon.  By  her  I  should  be 
glad  to  hear  from  you.  From,  Sir,  your  most  obliged  humble 
servant, 

S.  DERING. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Samll.  B.  Webb,  New  York.  Per  favor  Mrs. 
Smith. 


FROM  THOMAS  FANNING.2 

NORWICH,  23  March,  1778. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  truly  lament  with  you  the  cruel  fortune  of  war  that 
has  placed  you  in  your  present  situation.  No  one  perhaps 
can  have  a  keener  sense  of  the  misfortune  of  being  de 
tained  from  dear  Friends  and  connections,  than  your 
Friend  who  has  had  such  large  experience  in  captivity. 

I  have  however  the  happiness  of  congratulating  you  on 
the  prospect  of  a  general  exchange,  which  I  hope  and  trust 
is  now  at  hand  and  in  which  you  will  doubtless  share. 

When  I  came  from  New  York  October  last,  I  left  a  bill 
of  exchange  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Sherbrook,  amounting 


1  A  refugee  from  Long  Island.     Records  of  the  State  of  Connecticut, 

11,513- 

2  A  merchant  of  Norwich. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  5! 

35£  sterling,  drawn  by  Lt.  Colin  McKenzie  on  the  Pay 
master  of  7  ist  Regiment,  in  favor  Mr.  Nathaniel  Frink. 
I  have  not  heard  since  what  is  the  fate  of  the  bill,  and  as 
I  am  informed  by  your  brother  of  your  being  at  Mr.  Sher- 
brook's  house,  should  be  much  obliged  to  you  to  make 
inquiry  after  it,  and  inform  me  or  Mr.  Frink,  who  is  now 
at  the  lines  waiting  an  answer. 

Could  you  send  or  bring  out  two  yards  of  %  book  muslin, 
and  five  yards  white  double  edged  lace;  about  inch  and 
half  width  trimming:  lady's  hat;  also  two  India  Bandana 
Handkerchiefs,  you'll  add  new  obligations  to  those  already 
conferred  on,  Dear  Sir,  Your  sincere  friend  &  humble 
servt., 

FANNING. 

P.  S.  I  paid  Mr.  Sherbrook  about  thirty  dollars  on 
account  of  Capt.  Barzaliel  Beebe.1  Wish  to  have  Capt. 
Beebe's  receipt  taken  up. 

Jack  Trumbull's  compliments.  Beg,  if  you  should  see 
Col.  De  Lancey,  you  will  ask  if  your  brother  Joseph  gave 
him  a  memorandum  of  some  little  articles  in  my  way, 
and  whether  he  has  been  able  to  procure  them.  You  will 
oblige  me.  Adieu.2 


1  Of  Litchfield,  who  served  in  the  Militia,  1775-1783,  attaining  to 
the  rank  of  lieutenant  colonel.    He  was  captured  at  Fort  Washington. 
A  sketch  of  him  is  in  Kilbourne,  Biographical  History  of  the  County  of 
Litchfield,  126. 

2  This  paragraph  is  in  the  writing  of  John  Trumbull. 


52  FAMILYLETTERS 

JOSEPH  WEBB  TO  GOVERNOR  TRUMBULL. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency. 

I  can  safely  recommend  the  Bearer,  Captain  Luke 
Fortune  to  your  Excellency  as  a  very  trustworthy  Gen 
tleman  to  command  the  flag  you  have  been  so  obliging 
to  give  the  good  Mrs.  Denting.  I  have  the  pleasure  to 
tell  you  she  feels  a  most  grateful  Heart  for  your  Polite 
ness.  She  is  realy  deserving,  and  her  situation  has  realy 
been  very  disagreeable,  not  being  able  to  do  as  she  was 
bro't  up,  and  separated  at  a  great  distance  from  a  fond 
Husband,  much  could  be  said  in  Justness  to  her  Applica 
tion  and  your  Excellency's  approving  of  it.  But  I  trust 
you  are  well  satisfied.  But  to  return  to  the  Bearer,  he 
has  sail'd  in  my  Employ  and  I  have  known  him  for  a 
Number  of  years,  is  now  an  Inhabitant  of  this  town.  By 
his  prudent  and  good  conduct  has  within  a  few  years 
arrived  to  be  a  Commander  of  a  Vessel  from  a  private 
Sailor,  and  collected  very  honestly  a  pretty  Interest  for 
himself.  Is  a  quiet  good  man,  well  attached  to  the  Cause 
of  America;  is  married  into  the  Family  that  is  connected 
with  Mrs.  Deming,  and  she  has  now  applied  to  him  to 
wait  on  your  Excellency  for  the  proper  Papers,  Creden 
tials,  etc.,  which  if  agreeable  to  you  he  has  engaged  with 
her,  and  is  a  person  that  you  may  put  Confidence  in.  I 
am  your  Excellency's  most  obt.  Hble.  Servt., 

J.  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  April  7,  1778. 

I  am  extremely  happy  to  hear  of  your  Excellency's 
being  restored  to  your  Health,  and  must  now  return  you 
my  most  sincere  thanks  for  permitting  the  two  sons  of 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  53 

Mrs.  Winthrop  to  go  on  to  York.1  I  have  not  heard  from 
Colo.  Webb  since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  at 
Hartford. 

I  have  heard  several  times  from  Colo.  Delancy,  and 
am  told  he  remains  quiet  and  peaceable  on  his  farm,  and 
treated  well  by  both  parties,  and  that  he  is  civil  and  clever 
to  our  people,  which  is  a  satisfaction.  I  beg  to  know 
what's  become  of  Capt.  Flyn  and  Judd?  You'll  please 
to  remember  they  expected  your  orders  at  Rhode  Island. 
I  should  be  happy  for  an  answer  to  my  late  several  Letters. 
I  suppose  your  Excellency  knows  that  General  Lee  is 
gone  thro  the  Jersies  to  Philadelphia. 


FROM  L.  CONNELL. 

Mr.  Connell  presents  his  compliments  to  Colonel  Webb 
and  Captain  Hamilton,  and  is  sorry  that  he  is  ordered  to 
York  upon  business,  which  he  is  afraid  will  prevent  him 
of  having  the  pleasure  of  their  company  today.  If  they 
oblige  him  with  it  on  Monday,  he  will  take  it  as  a  par 
ticular  favor. 

Saturday  6  o'clock.  [April  12,  1778.] 

Addressed:  Colo.  Webb,  Flatbush. 


FROM  NATHAN  FRINK. 
Dear  Sir:  WEST  CHESTER,  i2th  April,  1778. 

I  sent  you  per  Col.  [James]  De  Lancey  several  papers 
and  a  small  book  from  Gen.  Parsons,  who  lodged  the 
same  with  Mr.  Sherbrook's  letter,  Sundry  papers.  Also 

1  Benjamin  and  Robert,  who  were  to  be  taken  to  London  by  their 
uncle  Major  Sheriff,  for  their  education. 


54  FAMILYLETTERS 

some  paper  for  Mrs.  Van  Horn,1  which  Col.  De  Lancey 
lodged  in  the  hands  of  Capt.  Murray,  Aid  de  Camp  to 
Gen.  Robertson.  Could  wish  you  to  call  on  that  gentle 
man  for  the  same.  By  perusing  the  letters  you'll  obtain 
a  very  plain  idea  of  what  I  could  wish  to  obtain.  Col. 
Webb's  exertions  on  the  subject  will  be  duly  acknowledged 
by,  Sir,  your  friend  and  Most  obedient  servant, 

NATHAN  FRINK. 

P.  S.  Jack  Heart-well  —  Worcester.  All  except  Whit 
ing,  in  consumption.  Dont  expect  to  see  him  alive  on 
return.  Vistelle  resigned.  In  great  haste.2 

Addressed:   Colo.  Saml.  B.  Webb.    Per  Capt.  Chapman. 


FROM  NATHAN  FRINK. 

BRITISH  LINES,  WEST  CHESTER,  2Oth  April,  1778. 
Dear  Col.: 

I  have  sent  some  papers  to  New  York  for  Mrs.  Van 
Horn,  which  are  lodged  in  the  hands  of  Capt.  Murray, 
Aid  de  Camp  to  Gen.  Robertson,  who  desired  Mrs.  Boul- 
ton  (who  delivered  them)  to  inform  me  they  would  be 
delivered  Mrs.  Van  Horn  in  a  few  days.  As  they  are 
matters  of  the  greatest  consequence  to  my  father,  and 
am  told  you  are  acquainted  with  Capt.  Murray,  must 
beg  you  to  call  on  him  for  them,  and  present  them  to 
Mrs.  Van  Horn  as  soon  as  possible,  and  convey  the  same 

1  Ann,  widow  of  David  Van  Home,  a  merchant  of  New  York.    She 
lived  in  a  dwelling  and  store  adjoining  on  Wall  Street,  and  died  in 
December,  1786,  or  January,  1787.    David  Van  Home  died  November 
10,  1775,  aged  sixty-three.    The  old  Custom  House  occupied  the  land 
on  which  the  Van  Home  buildings  stood. 

2  This  postscript  is  not  clear. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  55 

to  Col.  James  De  Lancy,  who  will  send  them  to  your 
friend  Knap.  Shall  go  from  this  to  Pennsylvania;  on  my 
return  will  call  at  Knapps  for  the  papers.  Your  assist 
ance  in  this  matter  will  be  duly  acknowledged  and  re 
warded  by,  dear  Sir,  your  most  Obedient  Servant, 

NATHAN  FRINKE. 

Addressed:     Colo.    Samll.    B.    Webb,    Prisoner,    Flat    Bush,  Long 
Island. 


FROM  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD. 
Dear  Sir  Wednesday  Afternoon,  [April  29,  1778.] 

Agreeable  to  your  request  [I]  have  sent  you  your  Ac 
count,  with  all  the  rest  of  the  bills  which  you  have  not 
before  had.  Your  servant  delivered  me  two  Guineas 

@  37/4 

£3.  14.  8 
out  of  which  have  paid  Allicock  for  I  doz  port 

wine  as  per  account  £1.17.    4 

Also  for  3  reams  gilt  letter  paper  @  2/6  o.    7.    6 

The  rest  of  the  money  I  have  given  him  back  again       1 .    9.  10     3 .  14.  8 

Have  enquired  of  Mr.  Charles  Nichols  the  price  of  a 
quarter  cask  port  wine  and  he  tells  me  I  can  have  one  for 
ten  pounds  the  cask  having  between  31  and  32  gallons  in 
it.  Should  you  be  inclined  to  take  one  at  that  price,  by 
letting  me  know  I  will  forward  it  to  you.  Depend  upon 
it  as  soon  as  I  hear  Captain  Chapman  has  sent  down 
your  horses,  I  will  send  them  over  to  you  as  quick  as 
possible.  Mrs.  Sherbrooke  talks  of  going  out  of  town  next 
Saturday.  They  both  desire  to  be  remembered  to  you. 
I  am,  Dear  Sir,  your  most  humble  servant  to  command, 

SAML.  CAMFIELD. 


56  FAMILYLETTERS 

[Enclosure.] 
Coll.  Samuel  B.  Webb. 

To  Perry,  Hayes  and  Sherbrooke,  Dr. 
1778 

March  I.     To  cash  paid  for  two  news  papers.  £o.     I.  O 

To  do.  for  2  Hams  and  a  Cheese.  4.    3.9 

To  do.  for  making  a  Gold  Sleeve  Button  o.    9.  o 

To  do.  for  2  news  papers  o.     I.  o 

1 6.     To  do.  for  i  doz  Port  Wine  I.  17.  4 

20.     To  do.  Grandine  and  Vanderbelt  shoemakers  5.  12.  o 

To  do.  for  2  news  papers  o.     I.  o 

31.     To  do.  for  half  Cost  of  4  Lottery  Tickets  x  2.    8.  o 

To  do.  Joseph  Allicocks  Bill  for  Wine,  etc.  4.  13.  4 

To  do.  John  Collins's  account  Taylor  I.  16.  4 

To  do.  for  2  news  papers  o.     I.  o 

April     9.     To  do.  for  2  ditto  o.     I.  o 

15.  To  do.  for  2  ditto  o.     I.  o 
To  do.  William  Burtons  Bill  for  Wine  and  Porter  3 .  1 1 .  1 1 

16.  To  do.  for  I  Loaf  single  refined  sugar  7  Ib.  @  2/  o.  14.  o 
To  do.  for  a  Pamphlet  containing  a  list  of  the 

Staff  and  other  Officers  in  America  2  o.    8.  o 

To  do.  Mrs.  Groomes  Account  for  making  shirts  7.  16.  6 

To  do.  Richard  Sharvin  Sadlers  Account  15.  12.  o 


£49.    8.  12 
Cr.  By  Cash  received  for  3  Prizes  in  the  Lottery,  your 

half  being  3.    8.    o 


£46.    o.    2 
Addressed:   To  Coll.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  at  Flatbush. 


1  Rivington's  Royal  Gazette,  May  23,  1778,  contained  the  adver 
tisements  of  two  lotteries.  One,  held  by  authority  of  Major  General 
Robertson,  was  the  third  for  the  benefit  of  the  "Refugee  and  other 
Poor"  in  the  city.  It  offered  9000  tickets  at  three  dollars  each,  of 
which  2252  would  draw  prizes,  and  the  drawing  was  to  be  made  as 
soon  as  the  tickets  had  been  sold.  The  advertisement  continued: 


2  Just  published  by  Rivington. 


SAMUELBLACHLEYWEBB  57 

FROM  SARAH  SIMPSON. 

WETHERSFIELD,  April  3Oth,  1778. 

Your  letter,  my  dear  Brother,  came  safe,  and  I  have 
just  been  reading  it.  Altho  short  it's  very  affectionate 
and  afforded  me  much  sattisfaction,  as  I  was  then  very 
anxious  in  regard  to  your  health.  Am  very  glad  that  you 
are  upon  Long  Island.  The  town  is  too  much  crowded, 
and  as  the  warm  season  approaches  it  must  be  disagree 
able.  I  have  had  reason  to  dread  any  more  of  my  friends 
being  there,  fatal  as  it  was  to  them.  I  shall  never  love 
the  place  more.  Should  you  see  Miss  Howard  tell  her  I 
have  not  forgot  her,  but  should  be  glad  to  see  her  here 
again.  I  have  not  time  to  write  her.  Indeed  I  am  not  well; 
therefore,  you  must  pardon  all  amiss  in  this.  I  was  loth 
so  good  an  opportunity  should  slip  without  writing. 
This  you  will  receive  from  Doct.  Tudor.1  Shall  expect 
an  answer  when  he  returns,  so  don't  disappoint  me. 
Sister  Webb  and  Hetty  dined  out,  otherways  would  have 
wrote.  All  your  friends  wish  to  see  you,  and  hope  that 
you  may  return  soon.  Whenever  that  happy  time  arrives, 
must  still  if  possible  request  you  to  bring  those  things 

"To  the  Profits  arising  from  the  different  Lotteries,  many,  who  were 
perishing  for  Want,  most  probably  owe  their  Existence.  The  rapid 
sale  of  Tickets  fully  evinces  the  Desire  of  each  adventurer  to  contrib 
ute  their  Proportion  to  the  common  Charity,  and  to  each  of  these  the 
Blessings  of  the  Fatherless  and  the  Widows  are  due."  The  second 
lottery  was  by  authority  of  Major  General  Valentine  Jones,  to  raise 
£210  New  York  currency  for  the  benefit  of  the  distressed  poor  in  the 
loyal  borough  and  town  of  West-Chester.  To  raise  that  sum  1400 
tickets  were  offered  at  20 /  each,  or  £1400. 

1  Dr.  Elihu  Tudor,  of  East  Windsor,  who  had  studied  with  Dr. 
Benjamin  Gale,  famous  in  his  day,  and  later  pursued  his  studies  in 
London. 


58  FAMILYLETTERS 

that  I  some  time  ago  wrote  for,  as  I  much  want  them,  es 
pecially  the  caliminico.  My  friend  Mrs.  Atkinson  will 
give  you  a  small  box,  if  she  gets  them  in  season,  which  I 
must  beg  your  particular  care  of,  as  they  are  of  conse 
quence  to  me,  and  no  other  person.  We  had  letters  from 
Jack  this  week;  he  was  well  and  happy.  Major  Hunting- 
ton  is  gone,  and  all  the  rest  have  followed  his  example. 
Our  friend  Nancy  Johnson  *  we  expect  in  a  few  days. 
You  are  frequently  enquired  after,  but  thought  of  by 
none  more  than  your  sincere  friend  and  affectionate 
sister, 

SARAH  SIMPSON. 

Should  you  see  Mr.  Sherbroke  and  lady,  remember  my 
compliments  to  them.  The  three  littel  ones  are  well. 
Sally  improves  fast. 

Addressed:   Colonel  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  New  York.    By  Mrs.  Hay. 


FROM  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD. 

Saturday  Noon,  [NEW  YORK,  May  2,  1778.] 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  been  to  all  the  Booksellers  in  Town  and  have 
only  found  the  Inclosed  Play,  which  I  got  of  Rivington, 
who  strongly  recommends  to  you  the  Perusal  of  the  Book 
now  sent  you,  which  I  paid  him  a  Dollar  for,  but  at  same 
time  promises  to  take  it  back  again  if  you  dont  want  it. 
The  articles  now  sent  cost  as  follows,  viz: 


Daughter  of  William  Samuel  Johnson. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  59 

y2  lb.  best  Hyson  Tea  @  37/4  £o.  18.  8 

^2        Souchong  Tea          i6/  o.     8.  o 

i  Play,  Fair  Penitent 1  o.     2.  o 

I  Pamphlet  Constitution  of  England  2  o.     8.  o 

£i.  16.  8 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sherbrooke  desire  their  compliments  to 
you,  and  certainly  will  be  up  at  Flatbush  on  Monday 
next. 

I  am,  Dear  Sir,  Your  obliged  humble  servant  to  com 
mand, 

SAMUEL  CAMFIELD. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

POMFRET,  May  5th,  1778. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  am  now  here  on  a  journey  to  Boston.  Mr.  Frink  has 
just  called  upon  me,  and  acquaints  me  that  Ensign  Green 
is  going  in  to  York  upon  some  business  of  Mr.  Frink  as 
well  as  his  own.  Should  Ensign  Green  call  upon  you  (if 
consistent)  I  wish  you  to  go  with  him  to  Mrs.  Van  Horn's 
aid,  and  assist  him  what  you  can.  I  have  received  your 
letters  about  sending  your  horses,  but  it  will  not  at  present 
answer.  I  must  confess  I  am  much  chagrined  that  you 
have  not  had  the  offer  of  coming  out  upon  parole  at  least. 
Many  gentlemen  of  the  army  and  others  I  thought  would 
interest  themselves  in  your  behalf. 

I  most  sincerely  wish  it  might  be  allowed  you  to  come 
out  and  stay  with  me.  Had  I  time,  I  would  write  more 


1  By  Nicholas  Rowe. 

2  De  Lolme's  book,  published  by  Rivington.    It  was  much  read,  and 
received  praise  from  Junius,  Lords  Chatham  and  Camden,  and  Justice 
Story. 


6O  FAMILYLETTERS 

largely  upon  the  subject.  I  have  just  heard  that  Generals 
How  and  Washington  have  broke  off  the  general  cartel.1 
I  hope  it  is  not  true.  My  compliments  to  Messrs.  Sher- 
brook,  Chew,  Lorrain  [Loring],  Winslow,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 
And  Believe  me,  Dear  Sammy,  Your  Most  Affectionate 
Brother, 

JOSEPH  WEBB. 

Addressed:   Colonel  Samuel  B.  Webb,  a  Prisoner,  New  York.     Per 
Ensign  Green  and  Mr.  Frink. 


FROM  SARAH  SIMPSON. 

WETHERSFIELD,  yth  May,  1778. 

Mr.  Frink  was  so  obliging  as  to  call  upon  us  just  now, 
going  immediately  into  N.  York.  I  prevailed  upon  his 
waiting  half  an  hour  that  I  might  write  you  a  line,  and 
acquaint  you  of  our  situation  from  time  to  time.  At 
present  we  enjoy  health  but  not  happiness,  while  this 
war  continues  which  deprives  us  of  so  many  of  our  dear 
friends.  My  Brothers  are  all  from  home.  Josey  left  us 
last  Monday  for  Boston;  expect  him  some  time  next 
week.  Tuesday  evening  Mrs.  Knox  and  Capt.  Lilly 2 
arrived  here;  left  us  early  next  morning.  Then  came  the 
two  Miss  Johnsons,  Col.  Henly  3  and  Mrs.  Hay,4  a  lady 

1  The  question  of  a  general  cartel  is  fully  presented  in  Webb,  Cor 
respondence  and  Journals. 

2  Captain  John  Lillie,  of  Massachusetts,  serving  in  the  artillery  of 
the  Continental  army. 

3  Col.  David  Henley,  colonel  of  one  of  the  sixteen  additional  Con 
tinental  regiments.    He  retired  in  1779. 

4  Probably  the  wife  of  Dr.  Hayes,  mentioned  in  Camfield's  letter, 
p.  65,  infra. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  6l 

that  was  going  direct  to  N.  York,  by  whom  I  sent  letters, 
one  for  you,  Mrs.  Atkinson  and  Sister  Winslow.  Hope 
they  may  reach  you  safe.  We  daily  expect  to  see  you; 
if  not  exchanged,  upon  parole.  Your  friends  are  im 
patient  to  see  you,  none  more  than  myself.  The  season  is 
[so]  far  advanced  that  nature  wears  a  most  beautiful 
aspect;  yet  to  a  mind  filled  with  so  gloomy  ideas  as  my 
own  nothing  pleases.  Such  a  continual  loss  of  friends 
that  was  once  my  treasure  makes  life  all  most  burdensome. 
Many  painful  hours  do  I  pass  when  I  reflect  on  past 
happy  days,  when  I  had  every  desire  that  my  heart  could 
wish.  What  a  change  in  my  situation  is  the  present  day. 
Hope  and  expectation  are  gone,  and  a  train  of  disappoint 
ments  left  in  their  room.  I  endeavour  all  in  my  power  to 
bear  up  under  so  many  repeated  trials.  Early  did  my 
afflictions  begin.  May  I  be  resigned  to  every  event  that 
may  await  me  through  life.  Sister  Webb,  Hetty  and 
Abby  beg  to  be  remembered  most  affectionately  to  Brother 
Sammy.  Should  you  see  any  of  my  acquaintance  my 
compliments  await  them.  Adieu,  my  dear  Brother,  may 
you  be  preserved  from  the  ills  of  life,  and  safe  return  to 
make  us  happy,  is  the  most  ardent  desire  of  her  who  is, 
and  ever  will  be,  your  sincere  friend  and  most  affectionate 
Sister,  SARAH  SIMPSON. 

Addressed:    Colonel  Sam.  B.  Webb,  at  Flat  Bush,  on  Long  Island. 
By  Mr.  Frink. 


FROM  NATHAN  FRINK. 
j}ear  c-   .  STRATFORD,  nth  May,  1778. 

I  send  you  by  Ensign  Greene  sundry  letters  I  wrote  you 
by  Mr.   Boulton,   desiring  your   assistance   in   settling  a 


62  FAMILYLETTERS 

matter  with  Mrs.  Van  Horn.  I  have  now  inclosed  the 
papers  prepared  anew.  By  perusing  the  letters  to  Mrs. 
Van  Horn  will  give  you  a  plain  idea  of  what  I  could  wish 
to  obtain.  My  dear  sir,  your  influence  with  Mrs.  Van 
Horn  will  be  of  great  service  to  one  who  wishes  you  every 
happiness  in  life,  and  will  not  be  unthought  of  and  re 
warded  by,  dear  Sir,  your  Most  Obedient  Servant, 

NATHAN  FRINK. 

N.  B.  Mrs.  Van  Horn  can  get  continental  or  Con 
necticut  loan  office  certificates  at  six  per  cent.  Interest, 
if  she  pleases,  for  her  money,  and  lodge  them  with  Mr. 
John  Smith,  a  particular  friend  here. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Sam'll  B.  Webb,  a  prisoner,  New  York. 


FROM  E.  V.  EDWARDS. 

BRUNSWICK,  [May,  1778.] 
My  Dear  Friend: 

I  have  just  time  to  inform  you  of  being  returned  from 
Morristown,  where  your  brother  Jack  is.  He  is  well. 
Colonel  White 1  who  commands  at  Brunswick  was  so 
exceedingly  polite  as  to  furnish  me  with  a  party  of  his 
horse  to  go  there,  and  escort  me  himself  ten  or  twelve 
miles  on  the  way.  I  spent  two  days  up  that  way  very 
agreeably  indeed,  found  all  well  and  in  fine  spirits,  never 
gayer;  a  thousand  questions  were  asked. 

Last  evening  I  supped  with  Colonel  White  and  about 

thirty  more.     Mr.  D /,   a  brother,  was  of  the  party. 

Daylight  caught  us  unawares  and  we  broke  up. 

1  Anthony  Walton  White. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  63 

Inform  Mr.  C-  -  his  chair  will  come  in  by  the  very 
next  flag.  His  brother,  where  I  now  write  this,  promises 
to  send  it.  He  may  depend  upon  getting  it,  as  the  boat 
man  is  spoken  to,  and  promises  to  take  it. 

In  one  hour  I  proceed  to  Provincetown  with  White's 
horse. 

Remember  me  most  affectionately  you  know  where;  and 
mind  your  eye,  Sam.  Adieu  for  the  present.  I  am,  etc., 

E.  V.  EDWARDS. 

N.  B.  The  day  before  I  arrived  at  Brunswick  my 
brother  dined  there  with  Mr.  Clark,  and  had  just  left  it. 

May  I2th,  1778. 

A  word  to  Jim  for  me.  Tell  him  I  have  just  dispatched 
my  message,  and  he  will  receive  what  I  promised  him. 

Addressed:    Colon'l  Saml.  B.  Webb,  Prisoner,  Flat  Bush. 


PAROLE. 

I,  Samuel  B.  Webb,  of  Weathersfield  in  Connecticut, 
having  leave  to  remain  at  Long  Island  on  Parole,  do 
hereby  pledge  my  truth  and  word  of  honor  that  I  will  not 
do  or  say  anything  contrary  to  the  interest  of  his  Majesty 
or  his  government,  and  that  I  will  not  depart  from  the 
house  I  am  placed  in  by  the  Commissary  for  Prisoners, 
nor  go  beyond  the  bounds  by  him  prescribed.  Given 
under  my  hand  at  Flatt  Bush,  Long  Island,  this  four 
teenth  day  of  May,  1778. 

SAML  B.  WEBB, 
Colo.  American  Army. 

Witness:  Thomas  Clark,  Serjt.  2$th  Regt. 


64  FAMILYLETTERS 

FROM  J.  GREEN. 
o-    .  NEW  YORK,  i6th  May,  1778. 

Mr.  Campfield  has  been  so  obliging  to  have  the  in- 
closures  conveyed  you.  Mr.  Parsons  left  some  papers 
for  me  at  Stratford  to  be  sent  you.  The  drafts  of  bills  of 
Parliament  [I]  have  not  sent,  as  political  observations 
were  introduced  by  Mr.  Parsons  at  the  bottom  of  it,  and 
really  such  as  that  gentleman  never  could  expect  a  British 
officer  to  carry.  Two  letters  with  ten  dollars  accompanies 
this;  beg  you'll  deliver,  and  take  receipt  for  the  money 
of  Captain  Welles,  as  I  have  given  one  to  your  brother  in 
Weathersfield.  Shall  be  glad  to  see  you  in  town  on  some 
government  business.  Beg  you'll  inquire  for  me  at  Colonel 
Anstruther's  1  lodgings  No.  8  Broad  street. 
Very  obedient  servant, 

J.  GREEN, 
Ensign  62  Regiment. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  Flatbush. 


FROM  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD. 
Dear  Sir'  Saturday  afternoon,  [May  16,  1.78.] 

The  officer  that  came  in  from  Connecticut  has  just  now 
called  here  with  Ten  Dollars,  which  he  forgot  to  deliver 
me  this  morning,  and  which  I  now  send  you  up  by  Mr. 
Clarkson.2  I  am,  Sir,  your  obliged  humble  servant  to 
command,  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD. 

Addressed:  To  Coll.  Sam'l  B.  Webb.     Per  favour  of  Mr.  Clarkson. 


1  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  Anstruther,  of  the  6zd  Regiment. 

2  This  may  be  Levinus  Clarkson,  who  had  married  a  daughter  of 
Mrs.  Van  Home. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEYWEBB  65 

FROM  SARAH  SIMPSON. 

Again  an  opportunity  offers  of  writing  to  my  dear 
Brother,  which  I  with  pleasure  improve,  fearful  that  I 
shall  not  be  able  to  write  you  very  soon  again,  as  I  am  at 
present  very  unwell,  and  have  been  for  several  days  past. 
Still  hope  that  it  will  not  be  long  before  we  have  the  long 
wished  for  happiness  of  seeing  you  here.  Your  friends, 
one  and  all,  wish  it  most  ardently,  and  are  anxious  for 
your  being  exchanged,  none  more  than  myself,  my  dear 
Sammy.  We  hear  from  you  frequently,  that  you  enjoy 
a  great  share  of  health  but  not  content;  therefore  cannot 
be  happy.  I  wrote  you  last  by  Mrs.  Hay,  which  I  have 
no  doubt  but  you  received  in  season,  as  she  engaged  to 
deliver  them  herself  to  Mr.  Winslow.  Miss  N.  Johnson 
is  here,  desires  her  compliments.  Sister  Hetty  andAbby 
beg  to  be  remembered  .most  affectionately.  Would  write 
provided  their  letters  could  go  sealed.  Josey  writes  you 
and  will  be  more  particular  than  it's  in  my  power  to  be. 
Nothing  has  taken  place  worth  my  acquainting  you  of, 
otherways  I  should  inform  you  immediately.  Write  me 
if  agreeable  as  they  add  greatly  to  my  happiness.  Let  me 
know  if  you  ever  see  my  friend  Miss  Howard,  Mrs.  Sher- 
broke;  tell  them  I  want  much  to  see  them.  May  Heaven 
bless  you  with  his  choicest  gifts  and  restore  you  safe  to 
the  arms  of  your  most  affectionate  sister, 

SARAH  SIMPSON. 

WETHERSFIELD,  May  25th,  1778. 


FROM  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD. 
Dear  Sir:  May  27th,  1778. 

At  Mrs.  Pelletreau's,  the  House  that  I  Diet  at,  Lives  a 
gentlewoman  by  the  name  of  Hayes,  whose  husband  was 


66  FAMILYLETTERS 

a  Doctor  in  Boston,  from  which  place  she  is  but  lately 
come,  in  order  to  take  her  passage  home  to  England, 
where  her  husband  has  been  sometime.  She  is  well  ac 
quainted  with  some  of  your  family,  and  has  received  a 
great  many  civilities  from  them,  and  would  be  glad  to 
see  you  the  next  time  you  come  to  town.  I  promised  her 
I  would  make  you  acquainted  with  it,  which  I  now  do  by 
this  opportunity. 

I  have  agreeable  to  your  order  interested  you  a  half 
part  in  company  with  myself  in  four  tickets  in  the  present 
lottery,  which  is  advertised  to  be  drawn  the  loth  of  next 
month,  and  I  now  send  you  the  numbers  of  the  same, 
being  as  follows,  viz:  No.  910,  4876,  SS3S>  7733-  May 
they  prove  fortunate  and  turn  out  to  account,  which  will 
compensate  for  the  ill  success  we  have  experienced  in  the 
former  ones. 

If  you  can  do  what  I  was  speaking  to  you  upon  the  last 
time  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  here,  you  will  greatly 
assist  my  friend  in  the  country,  as  well  as  doing  a  great 
favor  for,  Dear  Sir,  Your  obliged  humble  servant  to 
command, 

SAML.  CAMFIELD. 

Addressed:   To  Coll.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  at  Flatbush,  Long  Island. 


FROM  JOSEPH  FRENCH.1 

Saturday,  10  O'Clock  P.  M.  [June,  1778.] 
Sir: 

I  send  you  by  my  sergeant  five  Letters,  which  I  received 
from  Mrs.  Vanhorne,  belonging  to  some  of  your  gentle- 

1  Ensign  in  the  35th  Regiment. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  67 

men.  If  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  return  them  to  the  gen 
tlemen  that  own  them,  you  will  much  oblige  your  Most 
obedient  Humble  servant, 

JOS'H  FRENCH, 

3$th  Regiment. 


FROM  THOMAS  CHAPMAN. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  beg  ten  thousand  pardons  for  not  keeping  my  appoint 
ment  of  dining  with  you  on  Friday  last.  Particular  busi 
ness  I  assure  you  prevented,  which  I  shall  inform  you 
tomorrow.  I  this  morning  obtained  leave  to  go  to  New 
York,  and  tomorrow  intend  doing  myself  the  pleasure  of 
taking  a  family  dinner  with  you.  If  should  see  Mr.  Shay- 
lor1  in  town,  I  will  bring  him  with  me.  And  am  your 
most  obedient  Humble  Servant, 

THOMAS  CHAPMAN. 

BROOKLYN,  Sunday  morning,  [June,  1778.] 


FROM  JOSEPH  CnEw.2 

Mr.  Chew's  compliments  to  Colo.  Webb,  and  would  have 
seen  him  at  Long  Island  if  it  had  been  in  his  power.  In 
case  the  exchange  should  take  place,  he  must  see  the 

1  Nathaniel  Shaler. 

2  Jones,  in  his  History  of  New  York  during  the  Revolutionary  War 
(I.  216),  says  that  Chew  was  of  Tryon  County,  and  because  of  the 
oppression  of  the  "rebels,"  was  among  those  who  abandoned  their 
property  and  sought  refuge  in  Canada.    In  1777  he  was  Deputy  Com 
missary  of  Forage  in  the  British  army  at  New  York,  and  was  captured 
on  Long  Island  and  taken  to  Connecticut.     A  petition  from  him  to 
Governor  Trumbull  is  in  5  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  X,  40,  41. 


68  FAMILYLETTERS 

Colonel,  and  give  him  a  state  of  his  brother's  demands 
left  with  Mr.  Chew  for  money  advanced  some  prisoners, 
not  a  farthing  of  which  Mr.  Chew  has  yet  received. 

NEW  YORK,  Tuesday,  2<d  June,  [1778.] 
Addressed:   Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Flatbush. 


FROM  NATHAN  FRINK,  JR. 

HORSE  NECK,  8th  June,  1778. 
Dear  Sir: 

Yours  of  i yth  May  came  to  hand  on  the  2Oth,  which 
were  immediately  forwarded;  since  which  I  have  been  at 
Wethersfield  and  Hartford.  On  my  return  from  the  latter 
your  brother  was  gone  to  Middletown.  Sebra  :  told  me 
to  get  you  a  horse,  which  would  soon  be  sent  in  for  your 
use.  In  your  letter  you  mention  the  receipt  of  my  letters, 
but  not  their  several  inclosures;  which  I'm  much  sur 
prised  to  hear,  for  I  do  assure  you  there  was  not  a  syllable 
could  in  any  way  injure  the  public.  It  only  referred  to 
the  settlement  of  some  matters  with  Mrs.  Van  Horn, 
which  were  of  much  concern  to  my  father.  The  particular 
circumstances  shall  here  relate,  and  must  beg  your  patience; 
not  only  that  but  your  assistance,  which  I  hope  soon  to 
have  the  pleasure  to  see  and  reward  you  for.  In  1764  my 
father  received  sundry  bonds  (as  per  account  inclosed) 
due  to  Mr.  David  Van  Home  (then  living)  through  the 
hands  of  Doctor  Johnson  of  Stratford,  Mr.  Van  Home's 
attorney,  to  collect.  On  collecting  the  bond,  receiving 
part  monies  and  part  land  for  the  securing  the  debt  to  the 
family,  my  father  made  over  by  deed  sundry  pieces  of 

1  Jacob  Sebor? 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  69 


land  to  Mr.  David  Van  Home  on  the  iQth  of  March, 
1773.  The  matter  rested  in  this  manner  until  December, 
1776;  (during  which  Dr.  Johnson  put  the  debt  into  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Samuel  Huntington  of  Norwich  :).  About 
the  2Oth  of  December  my  father  received  a  letter  from 
Dr.  Johnson  informing  Mrs.  Van  Home  was  then  at 
Fairfield,  and  anxious  to  get  her  money.  In  the  course  of 
ten  days  after  he  received  another  from  Mr.  Huntington 
on  the  same  subject,  adding  and  directing  him  to  make 
sale  of  the  lands,  remitting  Mrs.  Van  Home  the  cash  and 
taking  acquittance.  In  consequence  of  which,  in  Feb 
ruary  and  March  following,  he  sold  the  lands  and  gave 
warrantee  Deeds  of  them,  came  to  inquire  for  Mrs.  Van 
Home.  She  was  in  Brunswick  or  New  York.  Thus  lies 
the  matter.  Two  warrantee  deeds  are  now  on  record  for 
the  same  lands,  and  the  purchasers  are  endeavoring  to 
injure  my  father  by  troublesome  law  suits,  to  prevent 
which  two  methods  only  can  be  taken.  The  first  is  for 
Mrs.  Van  Home  to  give  Quit  Claims  to  my  father,  order 
ing  her  son  David  to  receive  the  money,  after  indorsing 
the  inclosed  account  for  payment  to  him;  or  empowering 
John  Smith,  Esqr.,  formerly  of  New  York,  (who  desired 
I'd  make  use  of  his  name  to  her)  by  filling,  signing  the 
inclosed  blank  to  him,  and  enabling  him  to  negotiate  the 
business  as  he  shall  think  proper.  The  second  would 
have  been  much  best  for  our  family,  and  attended  with 
very  little  expense  to  what  the  first  has  already  been  - 
that  is  to  throw  in  a  petition  to  the  General  Assembly, 
and  get  them  to  receive  the  cash  and  validate  the  sale  of 
the  lands;  which  the  Governor  will  do,  and  I  have  been 


1  Afterwards  president  of  the  Continental  Congress. 


7O  FAMILYLETTERS 

sundry  times  advised  to,  but  Mrs.  Van  Home  has  used 
my  father  with  the  greatest  politeness,  and  nothing  but 
necessity  would  induce  him  to  proceed  in  that  manner. 
But  am  sure  Mrs.  Van  Home  must  be  sensible  it  was 
through  her  mistake  the  matter  was  not  settled  fifteen 
months  since,  as  will  appear,  if  she  has  received  either  of 
Dr.  Johnson's  letters.  A  repitition  of  words  [is]  unneces 
sary.  If  she  is  disposed  to  settle  the  debt,  have  inclosed 
a  memorandum  by  which  she  can  get  drawn  the  two  quit 
claims.  All  I  can  say  is,  wish  most  sincerely  this  method 
might  be  adopted  to  prevent  more  trouble,  as  I  have 
made  three  journeys  from  Pomfret  to  this  place  to  ac 
complish  it. 

Mrs.  Simpson  was  well  on  Tuesday  last  as  also  the 
family.  Beg  you'll  make  my  best  respects  to  all  your 
neighbors,  and  am,  Dear  Sir,  your  sincere  friend  and  most 
obedient  servant, 

NATHAN  FRINK,  JUNIOR. 

P.  S.  I  hope  soon  to  see  you  personally  and  apologize 
for  so  many  troublesome  letters.  General  Parsons  and 
your  Brother's  letters  comes  inclosed,  but  not  the  copies 
of  General  Philips  letter;  through  mistake  it  was  left  at 
Wethersfield. 

General  Parsons  had  written  for  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Cleveland  1  to  be  exchanged  for  one  Lieutenant  Richard 
son.2  If  he  comes  out  it  will  be  a  very  convenient  oppor 
tunity  for  the  returns,  if  any  there  be.  One  thing  omitted. 
Mrs.  Van  Home  must  inclose  Dr.  Johnson's  receipt  for 


1  Samuel  Cleaveland,  of  the  Royal  Artillery. 

2  A  Captain  John  Richardson,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  taken  prisoner 
at  Fort  Washington,  and  was  exchanged  August,  1778. 


SAMUEL    BLACHLEYWEBB  71 

the  bonds,  if  she  empowers  Captain  Smith  as  desired. 
Beg  you'll  inform  her  her  lands  between  Fairfield  and 
Stratford  are  in  bad  order.  People  are  cutting  woods, 
and  no  person  to  say  Why  do  ye  so?  Dr.  Johnson  in 
formed  me  of  that. 

N.  F. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Sam'll  B.  Webb,  Flatbush. 


To  BARNABAS  DEANE. 

FLAT  BUSH  on  Long  Island, 

June  I2th,  1778. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

It  is  neither  want  of  opportunity,  leisure  or  inclination, 
that  I  have  not  before  answered  your  agreeable  letter  of 
the  27th  of  March,  but  merely  because  my  situation 
debars  me  from  saying  anything  to  you  which  can  be  new 
or  interesting,  that  I  remain  in  a  state  of  existence  you  no 
doubt  have  frequently  heard  from  my  brother.  I  have 
long  been  in  hopes  of  an  exchange,  or  at  least  obtaining 
permission  to  retire  on  parole  to  my  friends  in  the  coun 
try.  When  either  will  take  place  I  am  totally  ignorant; 
soon  I  hope,  for  my  present  situation  is  more  disagreeable 
and  tedious  than  any  former  part  of  my  life.  Doctor 
Tudor,1  who  takes  charge  of  this,  will  be  able  to  tell  you 
what  vessels  have  been  bro't  into  New  York  from  our 
part  of  the  country.  Remember  me  to  our  friends  and 
believe  me, 

Your  unalterable  friend,  etc. 

SAMUEL  B.  WEBB. 


1  See  p.  57,  supra. 


72  FAMILYLETTERS 

When  you  write  our  friend  in  France,1  assure  him  of  my 
warmest  affection  for  him  and  the  little  boy.  Your  old 
friend  Sherry  2  and  others  of  your  acquaintance  are  well, 
and  desire  their  compts. 

Addressed:  Barna:  Deane,  Esq.,  Merchant,  Wethersfield,  Con 
necticut. 


FROM  SARAH  SIMPSON. 

My  Dear  Brother: 

Long  before  this  we  expected  to  have  seen  you  and  am 
anxious  at  your  delay.  What  can  be  the  reason?  Your 
friends  all  wish  your  return  and  that  speedily.  However 
keep  your  usual  spirits,  all  may  yet  turn  as  you  desire. 
Indeed  a  state  of  confinement  is  very  disagreeable,  and  I 
hope  you'll  soon  be  out  of  it.  Your  kind  letter  of  the 
1 7th  of  May  I  received  and  return  you  my  sincere  thanks. 
Continue  to  write  me  while  you  stay;  they  afford  me  great 
satisfaction.  Am  happy  mine  reached  you  safe.  It  will 
convince  you  that  I  am  not  neglectful  of  my  friends  that's 
absent. 

I  should  make  many  apoligys  for  the  incorrectness  of 
this  letter,  but  my  eyes  are  weak;  for  it's  but  little  more 
than  three  weeks  since  I  was  confined.  Indeed  I  have  not 
left  my  chamber  yet.  I  have  a  fine  daughter,  and  we  are 
both  very  well.  I  dined  with  Mrs.  Chester  three  days 
ago;  they  were  all  well  and  expressed  a  great  desire  to 
see  you.  Our  friend  Nancy  [Johnson]  left  us  on  Friday. 
Sister  Abby  returned  with  her,  and  is  to  spend  some  time 
at  Stratford.  As  soon  as  you  get  leave  to  return  to  Weth- 

1  Silas  Deane. 

2  Perhaps  a  familiar  mention  of  Sherbrooke. 


SAMUEL    BLACHLEYWEBB  73 

ersfield,  give  my  friends  timely  notice,  so  that  they  may 
write  me.  I  heard  from  Brother  Jack  yesterday.  He  was 
in  health  and  spirits;  was  surprised  that  he  could  hear 
nothing  of  you.  Remember  me  to  Mrs.  Sherbroke  and 
my  other  friends,  and  you  will  oblige  your  sincere  friend 
and  most  affectionate  sister, 

SARAH  SIMPSON. 
WETHERSFIELD,  June  21,  1778. 


FROM  HETTY  WEBB. 

[WETHERSFIELD,]  June  22,  1778. 

I  have  once  taken  up  my  pen  to  write  my  dear  brother. 
Accept  my  thanks  for  your  last;  it  afforded  me  much 
pleasure.  It  informed  me  of  your  health,  which  is  all  I 
expect  to  know  until  I  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  at 
that  happy  time,  when  will  it  arrive?  I  am  too  apt  to 
flatter  myself  that  it  will  soon  be  here.  Every  day  for 
this  past  week  we  have  looked  for  you.  Every  one  that 
came  out  would  tell  us  that  you  were  to  come  out  in  a 
day  or  two  after  them.  I  must  own  it  seems  a  little  strange 
that  you  cannot  neither  be  exchanged,  or  on  parole  get 
out,  but  perhaps  there  is  reason  for  their  detaining  you 
that  I  know  nothing  about.  I  will  not  think  too  hardly 
of  them. 

Your  friends  are  all  well  and  desire  to  be  most  affec 
tionately  remembered.  I  had  a  letter  a  few  days  ago  from 
Jack.  He  was  then  very  well  and  in  good  spirits.  Little 
Sally  very  often  wishes  that  she  could  see  you. 

Adieu.  May  health  and  happiness  attend  you  prays 
your  most  sincere  and  affectionate  Friend  and  sister, 

H.  W. 

Addressed:  Colonel  Sam  B.  Webb,  Flat-Bush. 


74  FAMILYLETTERS 

A  BILL. 

[June,  1778.] 
Coll.  Saml.  B.  Webb 

To  Perry,  Hayes  &  Sherbrooke,  Dr. 

1778.   April  30.    To  Balance  as  per  Accot.  Currt.  rendered     £47.17.10 
May  1 6.    To  Taylor  &  Nicholas  Account  for  I  Quar 
ter    Cask    Port   Wine    £10    Sterling   is 
£17.  15.  7  Cy.,  with  the  Cask  I2/  if  re 
turned  to  be  deducted  1 8.    7.    7 
To  Gaine  and  Robertson's  News  Papers 

twice  this  month  o.    2.    o 

To  Cash  paid  for  Bottle  Port  Wine  sent 

you  as  a  sample.  o.    3.    2 

19.  To  Cash  paid  Francis  Groome  his  Accot 

for  making   Shirts   and   Stocks   as   per 
Accot.  ii.  13.  o 

Deduct  for  so  much  charged  of 
this  Account  in  the  last  Accot. 
Currt.  delivered  you  7.  16.  6  3.  16.  6 

20.  To  Gaine  and  Robertsons  News  Papers          o.     I.    o 
To  half  Cost  of  4  Lottery  Tickets  2.    8.    o 

31.    To  Gaine  and  Robertsons  News  Papers          o.     I.    o 
To   Cash   paid   for    I    Loaf   dble   refined 
Sugar,  wt.  7  Ibs.  4  ozs.  @  2/6     o.  18.  o 
Yz  Ib.  best  Hyson  Tea  37/4        o.  18.  8      I.  16.    8 

£74.  13.    9 
Addressed:  To  Coll.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  at  Flatbush. 


FROM  JOHN  ATKINSON.* 

NEW  YORK,  July  4th,  1778. 
Dear  Sir, 

Yours  of  this  date  I  received,  inclosing  two  bills  and  a 
note  of  hand,  together  amounting  to  £285  sterling,  which 
sum  when  received  I  will  pay  to  your  order.  I  think  it 


1  A  merchant  in  New  York. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  75 

would  not  be  amiss  to  drop  Governor  Brown  1  a  line  on 
the  subject  you  mention,  and  the  sooner  it  is  done  the 
better,  as  there  will  be  an  opportunity  for  Providence  in 
a  few  days.  I  wrote  your  brother  a  few  lines  yesterday 
and  told  him  that  I  had  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you 
well  the  day  before.  If  I  can  persuade  Mrs.  A.  to  get  into 
a  carriage  we  will  do  ourselves  the  pleasure  of  drinking  tea 
with  you  some  afternoon.  She  desires  to  join  in  compli 
ments  with  Your  friend  and  humble  servant, 

JNO.  ATKINSON. 

Addressed:  Col.  Webb,  Flat  Bush,  Long  Island. 


FROM  JAMES  MoRRis.2 

Respected  Sir:  NEW  LoTTS> 

By  the  Bearer  hereof  I  return  the  Pamphlets  which  you  so 
kindly  lent  me.  I  thank  you  for  the  use  of  them.  Should 
have  returned  them  sooner  had  it  not  been  for  the  orders 
restricting  each  of  us  to  our  respective  Quarters.  Fur 
thermore  must  beg  leave  to  trouble  you  with  the  follow 
ing  Memorial. 

In  March,  in  the  year  1777,  I  was  appointed  by  order 
of  General  Parsons  to  take  charge  of  the  public  Hospital 
at  Litchfield  for  the  Inoculation  of  the  soldiery  belonging 
to  the  Continental  Army.  Not  receiving  any  supplies  of 
Money  for  carrying  the  business  into  execution,  I  was 

1  Mountford  Brown. 

2  James  Morris  had  taken  part  in  the  Quebec  expedition  and  was 
commissioned,  January  i,  1777,  a  lieutenant  in  the  5th  Regiment  of 
the  Connecticut  Line,  Philip  Burr  Bradley    being  the  colonel.     He 
was  from  Litchfield.    He  was  not  exchanged  until  January  3,  1781,  by 
which  time  he  held  the  rank  of  Captain. 


76  FAMILYLETTERS 

obliged  to  make  the  best  shift  I  possibly  could,  having 
encouragement  of  receiving  the  money  as  soon  as  I  should 
close  my  accounts.  After  I  had  accomplished  the  business 
I  made  application  for  the  money  sundry  times  without 
any  success,  till  finally  I  was  obliged  to  join  the  Regiment 
to  which  I  belonged.  After  the  British  landed  at  the 
Head  of  Elk  I  marched  with  the  detachment  under  General 
McDougaPs  command  from  Peekskill,  in  order  to  join  the 
main  Army  near  Philadelphia.  Immediately  after  it  was 
my  fortune  to  be  made  a  prisoner  of  war  being  at  German- 
town,  the  4th  of  October  ult.,  and  ever  since  that  period 
I  have  been  in  captivity.  My  above  mentioned  accounts 
remain  (I  conclude)  yet  unsettled,  being  to  the  great 
uneasiness  of  my  Creditors. 

In  this  situation  I  humbly  request  your  assistance  in 
procuring  a  Parole  for  me  at  large  (should  not  my  ex 
change  soon  be  effected)  that  I  might  have  an  opportunity 
to  retire  into  the  country  and  discharge  the  aforesaid 
accounts.  Your  kindness  once  in  procuring  for  me  the 
above  favor  shall  ever  be  gratefully  acknowledged  and 
remembered  by  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

JAMES  MORRIS. 

P.  S.  Sir.  Should  you  be  so  lucky  as  to  be  soon  ex 
changed  yourself,  and  not  procure  the  requested  favor 
for  me,  please  to  give  my  respects  to  Genl.  Parsons  men 
tioning  my  circumstances.  Perhaps  it  may  be  in  his 
power  by  some  means  to  provide  a  way  for  my  liberation. 

With  full  confidence  in  your  willingness  to  lend  me 
every  aid,  I  am,  Sir,  with  respect  yours, 

J.  MORRIS. 

Addressed:   Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Flatbush.    Mr.  Lott. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  77 

JACOB  SEBOR  TO  MILES  SHERBROOKE. 

Mr.  Miles  Sherbrooke. 

For  value  received  please  to  pay  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Esq., 
Thirty  Six  Pounds  Sterling,  being  the  amount  of  two 
setts  Bills  drew  by  Wm.  Page  and  Wm.  Cooke,  sent  you 
by  Mr.  Joseph  Chew,  Sept.  1777,  or  what  part  of  said 
bills  you  have  received  after  deducting  your  costs  and 
commission,  and  you'll  greatly  oblige  Your  most  Humble 
Servant, 

JACOB  SEBOR. 

MlDDLETOWN,  Sept.  Qth,   1778. 


FROM  BENJAMIN  TALLMADGE. 

x  BEDFORD,  October  6th,  1778. 

Dear  Sir: 

Inclosed  I  send  you  per  Flagg,  two  half  Joes  and  one 
Guinea,  money  left  in  my  hands  by  Captain  [Edward] 
Bulkley  of  your  Regiment  which  I  am  desired  to  transmit 
to  Lieutenant  Riley  of  your  Regiment.  Thinking  it  more 
probable  that  Lieutenant  Riley  will  get  the  money  by  di 
recting  it  to  you  than  himself,  I  have  ventured  to  trouble 
you  on  the  subject,  and  beg  that  you  would  forward  the 
same  to  him  by  the  first  opportunity. 

I  am,  Dear  Sir,  with  sincerity  your  obedient  friend  and 
humble  servt., 

BENJ.  TALLMADGE. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Prisoner,  New  York,  Long 
Island. 


7$  FAMILYLETTERS 

FROM  LEWIS  PINTARD. 


Dear  Sir*  ^EW  YORK,  17  October,  1778. 

I  sent,  a  few  days  after  my  return  from  the  Jersey, 
Leffert  Lefferts1  an  order  drawn  on  me  by  Captain  Lam 
bert  Byles,  who  formerly  boarded  with  him  for  about 
£15.  Lefferts  says  there  is  double  that  sum  due  to  him 
from  Captain  Byles,  and  I  have  wrote  out  about  it,  and 
he  refuses  to  pay  any  more.  I  desired  Mr.  Lefferts  to 
send  me  said  order  with  his  receipt  thereon  and  I  would 
pay  it,  but  he  has  not  done  it.  I  will  be  obliged  to 
you  to  call  on  him  [torn]  me,  and  desire  him  to  send  it 
Monday  next,  otherwise  I  cannot  pay  the  order,  as  I 
am  under  a  necessity  of  closing  the  accounts.  Expecting 
in  a  few  days  to  go  out,  as  from  what  I  can  find  leave  will 
not  be  given  to  Col.  Beatty  to  come  in,  I  am  in  haste, 
Your  very  humble  servant, 

L.  PINTARD. 
Addressed:  Coin.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  Flat  Bush. 


FROM  WILLIAM  AXTELL. 

Mr.  Axtell's  best  compliments  to  Colonel  Webb;  begs 
to  acquaint  him  General  Tryon  will  be  here  tomorrow  or 
next  day,  at  which  time  he  will  communicate  to  the 
General  Colonel  Webb's  wish  to  see  him.  Mr.  Axtell  was 
disappointed  in  not  seeing  the  General  last  week.2 

Oct.  26th,  1778. 

1  Lefferts  was  of  Kings  County,  and  one  of  the  addressers  of  Gov 
ernor  Robertson  in  1778. 

2  Axtell,  in  Kings,  and  Hamilton,  in  Queens,  are  charged  with  making 
money  by  arbitrarily  imposing  fines  for  a  neglect  of  militia  service. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEYWEBB  79 

FROM  OLIVER  SMITH. 
gjr.  Wednesday  morning,  NEW  YORK,  [November,  1778.] 

I  had  the  honor  of  forwarding  you  some  letters  from 
your  friends  at  Weathersfield  on  my  arrival  at  this  place, 
and  then  flattered  myself  that  I  should  have  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  you;  but  as  that  is  not  in  my  power  from  a  mul 
tiplicity  of  unexpected  business,  I  have  thought  it  neces 
sary  to  acquaint  you,  that  I  propose  setting  out  tomorrow 
for  Boston;  and  as  I  go  through  Weathersfield  shall  be 
glad  to  have  your  com[mands]  for  your  friends  there. 
Your  brother,  Mr.  J.  Webb,  informed  me  that  a  bill 
drawn  by  Mrs.  Melvill  in  his  favor  on  Mr.  Eules  for  £50 
sterling  was  transmitted  you,  and  as  Mr.  Eules  informs  me 
the  bill  is  paid,  I  suppose  you  will  write  to  forward  the 
money  to  Mrs.  Melvill,  who  is  much  in  want  of  it.  Mrs. 
Lyman  also  of  New  Haven  informed  me  it  was  probable 
you  had  received  some  money  on  her  account,  which 
she  wished  me  to  bring  her.  This,  or  other  business  in 
which  I  can  serve  you,  will  be  executed  with  pleasure  by, 
Your  most  obedient  servant, 

OLIVER  SMITH. 


FROM  SAMUEL  CAMFIELD. 
Catalogue  of  Books  belonging  to  Captain  Thomas  Chapman. 

10  Volumes  of  Rollins  Roman  History 
7  Volumes  of  Rollins  Ancient  History 
4  Volumes  of  Blackstones  Commentaries 

He  had  been  a  member  of  the  Council  of  New  York,  and  had  estates 
and  property  in  Great  Britain  and  the  West  Indies.  He  had  a  house 
in  Flatbush,  where  he  entertained  the  Continental  prisoners.  His 
commission  was  for  a  corps  of  Loyalists.  After  the  war  his  estate  on 
Long  Island  was  confiscated  and  he  went  to  England. 


8O  FAMILYLETTERS 

3  Volumes  of  Cicero's  Orations 

2  Volumes  of  Elements  of  Criticism 

1  Volume  of  Religion  of  Nature 

6  Volumes  of  Turkish  Spy 

7  Volumes  of  Sternes  Sermons 

3  Volumes  of  Sternes  Letters 

2  Volumes  of  Sternes  Journey 

4  Volumes  of  Gill  Bias 

3  Volumes  of  Beauties  of  the  Stage 

4  Volumes  of  Thomsons  Works 

2  Volumes  of  History  of  England  in    a   Series   of   Letters    from  a 

Nobleman  to  his  son 

1  Volume  of  Pomfrets  Poems 
4  Volumes  of  Addison  Works 

3  Volumes  of  Otways  Works 

2  Volumes  of  Congreves  Works 
9  Volumes  of  Belles  Shakespear 

Dear  Sir:  Thursday,  3rd  December,  1778. 

When  last  you  was  in  town  you  give  me  to  understand 
that  our  friend  Captain  Chapman  desired  you  to  call  on 
me  at  any  time  for  any  books  that  I  have  in  my  posses 
sion  belonging  to  him.  I  now  agreeable  to  promise  send 
you  a  Catalogue  of  them,  and  at  same  time  inform  you 
that  should  you  be  inclined  to  peruse  any  of  them,  by  let 
ting  me  know  I  will  take  care  to  send  them  to  you.  I  am, 
Sir,  Your  very  humble  servant  to  command, 

SAMUEL  CAMFIELD. 

FROM  HENRY  VAN  DycK.1 

Mr.  Van  Dyck's  best  compliments  to  Col.  Webb,  and 
he  is  very  sorry  to  find  himself  so  indisposed  in  conse 
quence  of  his  tour  the  other  day  to  Flatbush,  that  he  is 
afraid  he  shall  not  be  able  to  come  up  there  again  to- 

1  Henry  Van  Dyck,  of  Stratford,  Connecticut,  who  had  served  as 
reader  in  the  church  at  that  place,  but,  because  of  the  closing  of  the 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  8l 

morrow  agreeable  to  his  appointment,  and  therefore  begs 
Col.  Webb  will  be  kind  enough  to  call  upon  Mrs.  Van- 
home,  and  see  that  she  and  her  daughter  executes  the 
two  Deeds  of  Release  Mr.  Van  Dyck  left  prepared  at  her 
house  when  he  was  there,  Mrs.  Vanhorne  then  not  being 
at  home;  and  if  Col.  Webb  has  any  particular  commands 
for  Connecticut  by  a  line  his  injunctions  shall  be  duly 
attended,  and  every  service  in  Mr.  Van  Dyck's  power  for 
Col.  Webb  with  the  highest  pleasure  rendered;  and  as 
Mr.  Ludlow  comes  to  town  every  Monday,  it  will  be  a 
good  and  safe  opportunity  for  Mrs.  Vanhorne's  papers 
(to  wit),  the  Two  Deeds  and  Doctor  Johnson's  receipt 
which  she  still  has,  as  well  as  for  Col.  Webb  to  write  by. 
If  Mr.  Van  Dyck  possibly  can  he  will  nevertheless  call 
upon  Col.  Webb  before  he  goes. 

NEW  YORK,  December  5th,  1778. 

\ddressed:    Colo.  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  Esq.  Flatbush. 


JOHN  JONES  TO  SARAH 
Dear  Madam*  PHILADELPHIA,  December  nth,  1778. 

A  severe  indisposition  from  which  I  am  but  just  re 
covering,  has  prevented  an  earlier  acknowledgment  of 

church,  wished  to  go  to  England  and  obtain  orders  as  an  Episcopal 
clergyman.  Titus  Hosmer  to  Governor  Trumbull,  February  24,  1779. 
His  memorial  to  the  Governor  is  in  7  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  II,  367.  His 
wish  was  not  gratified,  and  in  August  he  petitioned  for  permission  to 
remove  to  Long  Island  with  his  family.  Ib.  425. 

1  Widow  of  Richard  Bancker,  merchant  of  New  York,  who  died  of 
a  putrid  fever,  April  18,  1775,  in  his  forty-eighth  year.  He  left  one 
child,  Elizabeth,  who  became  the  wife  of  Samuel  B.  Webb  in  October, 
1780.  Sarah  Bancker  was  of  the  Duyckinck  family,  and  had  a  sister 
Mary.  Richard  Bancker  had  three  brothers,  Evert,  Adrian,  and  William. 


82  FAMILYLETTERS 

your  late  favor  respecting  your  Brother,  from  whom  I 
have  also  received  a  letter  with  a  Petition  to  Congress, 
the  form  and  style  of  which  are  by  no  means  fit  to  present 
to  that  body.  I  would  therefore  as  a  friend  recommend 
him  to  have  one  drawn  up  correctly,  and  as  soon  as  I 
receive  it  you  may  depend  on  all  the  little  interest  I  have 
to  forward  his  wishes.  I  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  sight 
of  Miss  Banker  by  my  ignorance  of  Mr.  Low's  situation 
which  I  assure  her  I  regret  very  much.  I  beg  my  best 
compliments  to  her  and  Miss  Duckkink  and  am  Madam, 
Your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  JONES. 


FROM  HENRY  VAN  DYCK. 

December  I2th,  1778. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

I  am  very  sorry  that  you  did  not  receive  my  letter  to 
you  of  Saturday  last  by  Mr.  Sherbrook's  servant,  as  I 
find  you  was  so  good  as  to  send  a  horse  for  me  as  far  as 
the  ferry,  on  the  day  I  fixed  upon,  when  I  had  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  you  at  Flatbush.  I  was  so  indisposed  in  conse 
quence  of  my  walk  that  day,  that  I  was  unable  to  perform 
my  engagement,  which  I  do  assure  you  made  me  very  un 
happy.  I  intended  however  to  have  made  you  a  visit  once 
more  before  my  departure  from  hence,  but  what  with  the 
badness  of  the  weather  and  other  avocations,  I  have  been 
denied  even  that  happiness.  My  parole  is  out  on  Mon 
day  next,  and  therefore  I  cannot  answer  your  kind  expec 
tations  in  dining  with  you  tomorrow,  as  I  shall  be  under 
the  necessity  of  setting  off  by  land  or  water  to  morrow 
afternoon  or  Monday  morning  at  farthest. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  83 

Should  you  have  any  questions  to  ask  or  messages  to 
send  you  will  be  good  enough  to  forward  them  to  me  as 
soon  as  may  be  in  writing,  and  I  will  of  course  answer  the 
questions  and  deliver  the  messages  as  soon  as  possible. 
Believe  me  you  cannot  make  me  happier  than  putting  it 
in  my  power  to  render  you  any  services,  and  nothing 
could  have  given  me  more  satisfaction  than  a  further 
personal  interview  with  you,  but  that  in  my  present 
situation  I  cannot  think  of,  and  you  yourself  I  know  will 
readily  forgive  me.  A  message  sent  at  any  time  before 
twelve  to  morrow  will  be  in  season.  As  I  hear  the  Com 
missioners  are  gone  to  Amboy  in  order  to  negotiate  a  gen 
eral  exchange,  I  cannot  but  hope  you  will  soon  have  your 
fondest  wishes  gratified,  which  will  afford  infinite  satisfac 
tion  to,  My  Dear  Sir, 

Your  most  affectn  and  very  hble  servt., 

HENRY  VAN  DYCK. 

P.  S.  I  received  the  deeds  and  receipt  from  Mr.  Van- 
horne. 


FROM  JOHN  WINSLOW. 

NEW  YORK,  16  December,  1778. 
Sir: 

Least  you  should  not  have  received  a  letter  which  I 
wrote  you  two  days  ago  I  will  write  you  again  to  acquaint 
you  that  the  Commander  in  Chief  is  pleased  to  comply 
with  your  request,  and  has  given  you  permission  to  send 
to  your  brother  in  Connecticut  for  hay  and  oats  for  the 
use  of  your  horses.  Whenever  you  write  for  them  and  will 


84  FAMILYLETTERS 

send  your  letter  to  me,  I  will  inclose  a  permit  signed  by 
one  of  the  Generals  aid  de  Camp. 

Yours  very  sincerely 

JOHN  WINSLOW, 
D.   Com.  Prisoners. 

Addressed:  Col.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Prisoner  on  Parole,  Flatbush, 
Long  Island.  

FROM  LEWIS  PINTARD. 
Dear  Sir:  NEW  YORK,  22nd  December,  1778. 

I  received  another  letter  yesterday  afternoon  from  the 
officers  of  an  old  standing,  complaining  of  the  distribu 
tion  of  the  monies  in  such  terms  as  have  made  it  neces 
sary  for  me  to  postpone  the  payment,  until  I  can  get  fur 
ther  directions  from  Col.  Beatty.  In  the  meantime  I 
have  concluded  to  pay  all  round  £12  10.  each.  This  I 
suppose  will  not  please  the  gentlemen  last  come,  but  there 
is  no  help  for  it,  and  I  hope  it  will  only  cause  a  delay  of  a 
few  days,  and  that  I  shall  get  such  instructions  from  Col. 
Beatty  as  will  please  all  parties.  I  wrote  last  night  to 
General  Irvine  on  the  subject,  and  answered  the  officers 
letters,  and  this  morning  have  tried  to  send  said  letters 
the  Irish  way,  to  carry  them  myself,  but  have  yet  re 
ceived  no  permission.  If  I  do  not  get  it,  will  send  the 
letters  by  Mr.  Stearns  this  afternoon.  I  sent  Gen.  Irvine's 
copy  of  the  letter  I  received  and  my  answer,  and  hope  it 
will  be  satisfactory  to  all  who  I  would  wish  to  please, 
if  possible,  but  that  is  difficult.  I  beg  you  will  send  me  the 
former  letter  wrote  me  which  you  forgot  to  deliver  me,  as 
perhaps  it  may  be  necessary  for  me  to  send  out  a  copy 
thereof.  In  great  haste,  I  am  Yours  affectionately, 

L[EWIS]  P[INTARD.] 

Addressed:  Col.  S.  B.  Webb,  Long  Island. 


SAMUELBLACHLEYWEBB  85 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

My  Dear  Brother, 

I  have  received  but  one  short  letter  from  you  since  our 
parting  at  the  good  Mrs.  Delancy's,  which  was  handed 
by  Messrs.  Coffin  and  Smith,  who  got  well  home.  I  should 
according  to  your  desire  at  that  time  have  sent  some  hay 
etc.  by  a  returning  flag  to  New  York,  but  [was]  made  to 
believe  that  a  new  cartel  had  taken  place,  which  would 
then  soon  relieve  you  from  your  confinement.  I  now 
understand  the  prospect  is  quite  at  an  end,  and  how  long 
you  are  to  remain  Heaven  only  knows.  Patience  is  the 
only  comfort  I  can  give  you.  I  need  not  repeat  my  sur 
prise  at  your  not  being  allowed  to  come  out  after  the  many 
applications,  but  as  much  as  will  do  has  been  urged  and 
said,  and  you  have  (though  they  have  not  done  as  they 
could  have  wished)  to  thank  and  remember  Col.  Campbell 
and  those  other  gentlemen  that  have  been  polite  enough 
to  interest  themselves  in  your  behalf.  I  wish  it  may  be 
ever  in  our  power  to  acknowledge  their  civilities. 

I  sincerely  love  gratitude,  and  am  happy  when  I  have 
it  in  my  power  to  show  it;  and  I  as  sensibly  feel  when  it 
is  not  returned  me;  but  enough  has  been  said,  as  I  have 
told  you  repeatedly  in  my  late  letters.  Therefore  arm 
and  fortify  yourself  to  remain  it  out,  until  they  make  a 
cartel  that  will  exchange  in  due  rotation. 

Write  me  as  often  as  you  can  and  when  you  are  permitted 
to.  Should  the  bearer  wait  on  you,  I  think  it  would  be 
best  to  send  out  some  of  your  horses  or  sell  them  there. 
I  am  much  surprised  to  hear  of  the  bills  being  protested. 
Let  me  know  the  reasons.  I  hope  Mr.  Sherbrook  takes 
proper  care  of  those  in  his  hands.  He  is  present,  and  must 


86  FAMILYLETTERS 

do  the  needful.     You  are  sensible  they  would  or  did  not 
permit  me  to  come  and  have  'em  adjusted. 

Though  Mr.  Loring  wrote  me  "as  the  Commander  in 
Chief  was  not  present  I  could  not  be  permitted  in,  yet  let 
him  know  my  demands  and  he  would  see  them  settled." 
Upon  my  word  it  puzzles  me.  I  cant  see  through  the 
denial,  when  Governor  Franklin  and  so  many  said  so  much 
of  it,  the  consequence  and  real  necessity  of  my  personal 
appearance  to  settle  with  them,  and  what  was  further 
would  answer  for  me  [my]  doing  nothing  that  would  be 
dishonorable.  Heretofore  they  have  been  extremely  polite 
and  genteel.  I  have  ever  acknowledged  it.  Did  I  ever 
forfeit  that  indulgence  ?  But  not  five  days  after  I  left  the 
Bridge  scarcely  any  one  was  refused  admittance  that 
asked.  But  — 

I  bid  you  adieu.     Remember  me  to  our  worthy  friend 
Sherbrook,  Shaylor,  Gov.  Franklin  etc.  and  believe  me, 
Yours  most  sincerely, 

J.  w. 

December  31,  1778. 


ELISHA  HOPKINS  TO  MRS.  BANCKER. 

Capt.  Hopkins  presents  his  most  respectful  compli 
ments  to  Mrs.  Banker,  is  sorry  it  was  not  in  his  power  to 
have  the  pleasure  of  delivering  her  letter  in  person.  Its 
with  pleasure  that  Capt.  H.  informs  Mrs.  Banker,  that 
her  friends  on  Long  Island  are  well,  and  desire  to  be  re 
membered  in  a  very  particular  manner. 

MORRIS[TOWN],  Monday  Morning,  8  o'clock.  [1779.] 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  87 

RECEIPTS. 

Received  of  Mr.  Fitts  Hue  fifteen  Guineas  for  a  bay 
horse,  [which]  was  my  property. 

WM.  BYGRAVE,  Cornet  2  L.  D.1 

FLAT  BUSH  ON  LONG  ISLAND,  January,  1779. 

Received  of  Colonel  Webb  Fifteen  Guineas  in  full  for  a 
large  bay  horse,  late  the  property  of  Cornet  Bygrave  of 
the  British  Army. 

ROBERT  RANDOLPH, 

Lieut.  Light  Dragoon  American  Army.2 


FROM  NATHAN  FRINK. 
Dear  Colonel: 

By  the  bearer,  Mr.  Hall,  I  send  you  the  New  Haven 
paper  of  January  6th.  Your  favors  by  Mr.  Van  Dyck  I 
am  much  obliged  to  you  for.  Your  friend  S.  H.  P.3  left 
this  day  before  yesterday,  or  you  might  have  had  a  line. 
We  are  well  —  at  Kpps  4  Col.  Lno's  compliments,  Bush, 
&c.,  &c.,  &c., 

Ever  your  obedient  servant, 

N.  FRINK. 
HORSE  NECK,  8  January,  1778  [1779.] 

Addressed:  Colo.  Samll.  Webb,  Prisoner,  New  York.    Per  Mr.  Hall. 

1  He  was  a  cornet  in  the  Sixteenth,  or  Queen's  Regiment  of  Light 
Dragoons. 

2  Randolph  was  of  Virginia,  and  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner 
at  Tappan,  September  28,  1778. 

3  Samuel  Holden  Parsons. 

4  Perhaps  a  word  in  cipher. 


FAMILY     LETTERS 

FROM  JAMES  KEENS. l 

NEW  YORK,  9th  January,  1779. 

Copy  of  Mr.  Loring's  letter  to  me  dated  yesterday. 
Mr.  Keens  be  kind  enough  to  provide  the  best  Quarters 
you  can  in  Flat  Bush  for  Col.  [George]  Baylor,  and  let 
me  know  it  immediately.  Gen.  [William]  Thompson  and 
Colonel  [Robert]  McGaw  will  likewise  want  quarters,  and 
a  number  of  other  officers  who  I  expect  in  daily. 

Yours  &c., 

J.  LORING. 


Col.  Baylor  is  not  arrived.  Mr.  Loring  and  myself  will 
be  over  when  Col.  Baylor  comes  to  the  island.  I  have 
provided  quarters  by  order  of  Mr.  L.  at  Mrs.  Carrows  in 
Smith  Street,  at  Major  Conway's  sister's.  All  the  British 
and  Brunswick  officers  are  gone  out,  only  Capt.  Campbell, 
Captains  England,2  Strangways,  Lieutenants  Wallace3  and 
Frazier  and  Ensign  Frazier,  who  I  believe  will  be  exchanged 
when  some  of  your  officers  comes  in.  I  am  certain  one 
Captain  wTill  be  exchanged,  if  you  please  to  inform  Capt. 
[James]  Heron.  There  is  nothing  new  in  town. 

I  am,  Sir,  with  much  Respect,  your  very  Humble 
Servant,  J.  KEENE. 

If  you  or  Capt.  Swan  could  fix  a  house  for  Col.  Baylor. 
Addressed:    Col.  S.  B.  Webb,  Flat  Bush,  Long  Island. 

1  Keens  was  connected  with  the  office  of  Commissary  of  Prisoners. 

2  Richard  England,  captain  in  the  47th  Regiment. 

3  Two  of  the  name  of  Wallace  held  lieutenant's  commissions  :  Hill 
Wallace,  in  the  I4th  Regiment,  and  John  Wallace,  in  the  64th.     The 
prevalence  of  Scotch  names  in  the  British  force  makes  it  impossible 
to  identify  the  Frasers. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEYWEBB  89 

FROM  HENRY  REMSEN  TO  SARAH  BANCKER. 
Dear  Madam:  MORRISTOWN,  i6th  January,  1779. 

I  am  at  present  in  want  of  a  good  feather  bed,  bolster 
and  pair  of  pillows.  Perhaps  you  may  be  willing  to  spare 
them  to  me  for  either  hard  or  soft  money,  or  any  other 
articles  that  I  have  by  me.  I  could  spare  a  green  rug  in 
part  pay,  also  some  brown  ell-wide  Russia  sheeting,  a 
little  black  real  India  Taffeta  of  the  best  cotton  ever  im 
ported.  If  these  should  not  suit,  I  expect  a  few  pieces 
fashionable  silks  soon.  Please  inform  me  by  a  line  if  you 
can  spare  the  articles  I  want,  and  what  the  price  is  in  hard 
money,  or  if  you  chuse  any  of  the  goods  mentioned,  or 
some  very  good  Scotch  snuff  in  bladders. 

I  could  have  purchased  much  bedding  in  this  town,  but 
find  them  very  small,  and  nothing  like  the  New  York  beds. 
I  left  two  at  New  York  and  another  has  been  fairly  wore 
out  while  the  army  lay  here. 

Henry  will  deliver  you  this  and  forward  your  answer. 
Mrs.  Remsen  joins  me  in  respectful  compliments  to  your 
self,  Miss  Bancker,  Miss  Polly,1  and  to  Miss  Neilson  2 
and  family. 

I  am  respectfully,  Dear  Madam, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

HENRY  REMSEN. 

FROM  ELIHU  HALL. 
Dear  Sir*  NEW  YORK,  January  2ist,  1779. 

I  have  found  a  line  from  Jacob  Sebor,  which  have  in 
closed  to  your  observation.  I  find  he  wants  a  set  of  shoe 


1  Miss  Mary  Duyckinck. 

2  Daughter  of  William  Neilson  of  Pluckemin. 


9O  FAMILYLETTERS 

and  knee  buckles.     Pray  send  word  by  your  man  who  I 
suppose  will  bring  your  horse  tomorrow  10  o'clock.     Pray 
remember  my  best  respects  to  Mr.  Sherbrook  and  Lady, 
and  to  our  mutual  friend  Natty.1 
Wishing  you  a  speedy  exchangement. 

Good  by. 

ELIHU  HALL.* 


CAMFIELD'S  AccouNT.3 

Sundry  expences  paid  for  Coll.  Webb  as  per  Memoran 
dum,  vizt. 

1778.  December  23.    To  Cash  paid  Slidell,  Tallow  Chand 

ler,  for   a  Box  Mould  Candles,  wt.  38   @  5/  & 
Box  6/  £9.  1 6.  o 

To  Cash  paid  his  servant  Richard.  2.    6.  o 

12.    2.  o 

1779.  January  22.    To  Cash  paid  Joseph  Allicock 

for  sundrys  4.  12.  o 

23.  To  Cash  paid  Mr.  Hall  to  purchase 

Shoe  and  Knee  Buckles  for  Mr.  Cebra  4  I.  17.  4 

To  ditto  to  Mr.  Hall  for  one  night  Horse- 
keeping  o.  10.  o  2.  7.  4 

To  Cash  paid  Mr.  Sharp  for  5  Gallons  Ma 
deira  Wine  delivered  Richard  the  2ist. 
Instant.  5.  o.  o 

£24.    1.4 

N.  B.  The  inclosed  Paper  that  was  to  have  been  given 
to  Mr.  Hall  he  saw,  and  said  that  there  was  no  Necessity 
for  it,  as  he  cou'd  take  the  Horse  out  without  it. 


1  Nathaniel  Ramsay  (?),  who  was  a  prisoner  on  Long  Island. 

2  A  sergeant  in  Captain  Abel  Pettibone's  company,  Wolcott's  Bri 
gade  of  Connecticut  Militia. 

3  Endorsed  "Saml.  Camfields  Account  of  Money  paid  out,  New 
York."  4  Sebor. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEYWEBB  QI 

FROM  JACOB  SEBOR. 
Dr.  Colonel; 

Have  only  one  moment's  time  by  Mr.  Townly  to  beg 
the  favor  of  you  to  send  me  word  by  the  first  opportunity, 
whether  the  bills  I  left  with  Mr.  Sherbrooke  are  accepted 
or  protested.  If  accepted  and  paid,  I  wish  you  to  receive 
the  money,  as  per  the  order  I  sent  you  by  Mr.  Clark;  also 
if  you  have  received  the  money  for  the  note  of  General 
F[rankli]n.  In  haste,  wishing  your  speedy  exchange, 
I  remain  your  sincere  friend, 

JACOB  SEBOR. 

P.  S.     Our  Company  affairs  go  on  very  well. 
Jany.  26,  1779^ 


FROM  NATHANAEL  GREENE. 

Tuesday  Evening  [1779?] 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  consulted  Mrs.  Greene  respecting  the  day  of  her 
departure.  She  fixes  upon  Sunday;  and  thinks  herself 
exceeding  happy  to  have  the  honor  to  be  escorted  by  so 
polite  and  agreeable  a  gallant.  She  begs  her  compliments 
to  Miss  Banker,  and  to  hers  you  will  please  add  mine. 

Yours  aff. 

N.  GREENE. 


1  Webb  was  released  on  parole,  to  accompany  Baylor  to  Philadel 
phia  on  the  question  of  an  exchange  of  prisoners.  Webb,  Correspond 
ence  and  Journals,  II,  153. 


92  FAMILY     LETTERS 

FROM  S.  NicoLL.1 

[NEW  YORK,  February,  1779.] 

Col.  Webb  will  oblige  S.  Nicoll  by  remembering  Compli 
ments  to  Messrs.  [Matthew]  Clarkson,  Beresford,  [James] 
Segrove,  Troop,  [Morgan]  Lewis,  and  to  others  of  his  old 
acquaintance,  which  the  Colonel  may  accidentally  meet 
with. 

That  you  may  be  able  to  bring  about  a  general  exchange, 
and  that  the  happiest  moments  of  your  past  life  may  be 
dull  in  comparison  of  the  most  anxious  of  those  you  have 
yet  to  experience,  is  the  sincere  wish  of  your  friend  and 
obedient  Servant, 

S.  N. 

FROM  GEORGE  BAYLOR. 

My  Dear  Webb :  [NEW  YoRK>  FebruaT,  '779J 

It  is  as  we  wish.  You  are  to  go  to  Philadelphia.  Let 
me  take  you  by  the  hand  tomorrow. 

Yours  in  great  haste, 

G.  BAYLOR. 
The  dinner  is  a  cooling. 

4  o'clock  P.  M. 


RECEIPT  FOR  FLOUR. 

NEW  YORK,  February  3,  1779. 

Received  of  John  Beatty,  Esq.,  Commissary  General  of 
Prisoners  for  the  United  States  of  America,  by  the  hands 
of  L.  Pintard,  One  Barrel  Flour.  Weight  I.  3.  2. 

1  Doctor  S.  Nicoll,  then  at  New  York. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  93 

Copy  of  a  receipt  given  for  the  above  Barrel  Flour  by 

Col.  S.  B.  Webb. 

JOHN  FINTARD. 


BILL  FOR  WINE. 

r*  1    c  i  13    \\7  uu  NEW  YORK,  3rd  February,  1779. 

Col.  Samuel  B.  Webb, 

Bought  of  Richard  Sharp. 

I  Quarter  Cask  Madeira  Wine  £25.  o.  o 

(N.  B.  Cask  to  be  returned  when  empty.) 
Received,  New  York,  the  5th  February,  1779,  the  within 
contents  from  Mr.  Sherbrooke. 

RICHARD  SHARPE,  JUNIOR. 


FROM  THOMAS  MUMFORD. 
Dear  Sir:  HARTFORD,  4th  February,  1779. 

I  have  promised  myself  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  re 
turn  home  for  some  time.  The  endeavors  of  your  friends 
have  not  succeeded  (for  your  exchange)  agreeable  to  my 
hope  and  expectation.  However,  the  present  prospect 
now  bids  fair  to  have  you  exchanged  for  one  of  the  British 
Colonels  captured  in  a  packet  from  New  York  to  England, 
and  they  released  in  Spain,  and  receipt  given  for  them 
there  by  the  British  Consul,  to  be  accounted  for  in  America.1 
Your  brother  I  conclude  will  inform  you  the  particulars, 
the  bearer,  Capt.  Bulkley,  with  Col.  Ely,  having  just  re 
ceived  intelligence  that  they  are  remanded  as  prisoners 
to  New  York,  return  agreeable  to  their  paroles  on  first 
notice.  This  I  trust  will  entitle  them  to  the  confidence 


Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals,  II,  148  n. 


94  FAMILYLETTERS 

of  the  British  Commander-in-Chief  at  New  York,  and  I 
make  no  doubt  they  will  be  treated  agreeable  to  their 
merit.  Ensign  Mumford  would  have  accompanied  them, 
but  has  had  the  good  fortune  to  be  exchanged  at  Newport. 
As  you  will  see  by  Gen.  Prescott's  letter  to  Gen.  Sullivan, 
which  Capt.  Bulkley  carries  with  him,  he  will  now  imme 
diately  join  your  regiment  to  which  he  belongs.  I  flatter 
myself  you  will  soon  be  exchanged  and  command  them 
again.  This  I  am  sure  must  give  the  whole  regiment  very 
sensible  pleasure.  I  am  happy  to  give  some  assistance  to 
our  officers  now  prisoners  with  you,  by  distributing  a  few 
Guineas  which  I  hope  will  administer  relief  and  comfort. 

I  am  lately  deprived  of  my  greatest  temporal  enjoyment. 
My  good  Mrs.  Mumford  is  no  more.  She  departed  this 
transitory  Life  about  two  months  since.  Your  young 
ensign  is  sensibly  affected  by  this  irreparable  loss  of  an 
affectionate  tender  parent.  May  this  alarming  warning 
stimulate  us  all  to  be  likewise  ready. 

My  cordial  wishes  salute  you,  and  am  with  Real  Esteem 
and  regard,  Dear  Sir,  Your  sincere  and  affectionate 

THOS.  MUMFORD. 

Addressed:  To  Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  at  or  near  New  York.  Per 
Capt.  Bulkley. 

FROM  JOHN  CHESTER. 
My  Dear  Sir:  WETHERSFIELD,  February  6th,  1779. 

I  have  again  with  much  difficulty  put  off  the  tryal  of 
my  Johnson  cause,  solely  for  the  want  of  your  evidence 
in  the  matter.1  There  is  soon  to  be  another  session  of  the 
Court,  at  which  my  adversary  will  no  doubt  be  able  to 

1  Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals,  II,  136,  156. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  95 

bring  on  the  tryal,  whether  I  will  or  not.  Your  deposi 
tion  is  therefore  of  amazing  consequence  to  me.  I  have 
obtained  a  flagg  of  Governor  Trumbull  to  go  into  N. 
York,  on  purpose  to  see  you  on  this  business;  but  am 
since  informed  that  it  is  altogether  improbable  that  I  can 
be  admitted  on  this  score.  I  must  therefore  desire  you 
(if  you  can  obtain  permission)  to  meet  me  just  without 
the  Lines,  for  this  very  interesting  purpose  (to  me),  the 
obtaining  of  your  deposition  in  the  case.  If  this  favor 
may  be  granted  I  wish  to  know  the  time  and  place  where 
I  am  to  meet  you,  and  as  early  as  is  convenient.  Your 
answer  will  greatly  oblige,  My  Dear  Sir,  Your  affec 
tionate  friend  and  very  Humble  Servant, 

JOHN  CHESTER.. 

Addressed:  Colonel  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Flat  Bush.     Per  favor  Capt. 
Bulkley. 


BILL. 

NEW  YORK,  February  10,  1779. 
Colonel  Webb 

Bought  of  Berry  &  Rogers 

Steel  hiked  sword £7     9.  4 

Sword  knot I     4-  ~ 

2  pr.  silk  stockings      3    14.  8 

Sword  belt I      4.  - 

Sword  Hook 16.  - 

Stick      i     4-  ° 

3  Ratan 6/  18.  o 

Trunk I.    4.  o 

Stick  pomatum 2-  ~~ 

2  Cane  strings      12.  — 

Currency  18     70 
Rec'd  payment  in  full 

BERRY  &  ROGERS. 


96  FAMILYLETTERS 

FROM  NATHAN  FRINK. 

HORSE  NECK,  I2th  February,  1779. 
Dear  Colonel: 

Your  brother  Jos.  desired  me  to  procure  for  the  pur 
pose  of  sending  by  a  flag  for  your  use  fifteen  or  twenty 
bundles  of  hay  and  forty  bushels  of  oats.  I  have  agreed 
for  them  both,  which  will  be  ready  this  Saturday  coming. 
Have  also  procured  a  vessel  to  transport  them  and  ac 
quainted  your  brother  by  a  letter.  By  the  next  post  I 
expect  the  Governor's  permission.  With  your  brother's 
instructions  they  will  be  forwarded  as  fast  as  possible. 
By  perusing  your  brother's  letters  by  Mr.  Townly  I  ob 
serve  no  mention  to  have  been  made  of  your  exchange 
proposed  by  your  worthy  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Barrell, 
who  wrote  His  Excellency  General  Washington  request 
ing  your  exchange  for  a  gentleman  of  the  British  Army, 
who  was  taken  in  one  of  the  outward  bound  packets  from 
New  York  and  carried  into  some  foreign  port  by  a  pri 
vateer  belonging  to  Mr.  Barrell  &  Co.  The  captain  of 
the  privateer  delivered  them  (I  think  six  in  number,  of 
different  ranks)  to  one  of  the  British  Ambassadors  at  a 
foreign  court,  and  took  his  receipt  for  them  as  exchange 
able  in  America,  which  receipt  has  come  to  hand,  and 
forwarded  to  His  Excellency  General  Washington.  For 
that  purpose  your  brother  did  me  the  liberty  to  peruse 
Mr.  Barrell's  letter  to  him.  From  this  circumstance  I 
have  taken  the  freedom  (earlier  than  your  brother  may 
have  an  opportunity)  to  acquaint  you  of  the  prospect  of 
your  exchange. 

I  am,  sir,  with  every  respect,  your  Obedient  Servant, 

N.  FRINK. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEY  WEBB  97 

FROM  ROYAL  FLINT. 

CAMP  RARITON,  February  18,  1779. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  inclose  you  a  copy  of  the  deposition  1  you  requested. 
Col.  Wadsworth  set  off  last  Tuesday  morning  for  Con 
necticut. 

I  am,  Dear  Sir,  with  esteem,  Your  most  obedient  servant, 

ROYAL  FLINT. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Sam'l  B  Webb,  at  General  Arnold's,  Philadelphia. 


FROM  WILLIAM  S.  LIVINGSTON. 

HEAD  QUARTERS,S  February  2Oth,  1779. 
Dear  Webb: 

I  followed  you  from  Hackensack  to  about  four  miles 
beyond  Elizabeth  Town,  and  unfortunately  took  the 
wrong  road,  or  should  have  overtaken  you.  I  supposed 
you  would  have  gone  on  to  Brunswick  instead  of  going 
to  Head  Quarters.  As  your  stay  will  be  short,  I  wish  to 
have  the  pleasure  of  hearing  from  you  respecting  your 
return.  I  intend  going  to  Rhode  Island  very  soon,  and 
want  much  to  see  you  before  I  set  out.  Your  brother  is 
now  in  New  York  expecting  to  effect  your  exchange. 
Accept  my  best  wishes  for  your  success,  and  believe  me, 
Your  most  affectionate  Friend, 

WILLIAM  S.  LIVINGSTON. 

Addressed:    Colonel   Samuel  B.  Webb,   at  Philadelphia.    Favored 
by  Mr.  Temple. 

1  Webb  has  endorsed  it  "my  deposition."     It  probably  related  to 
Colonel  John  Chester's  case. 

2  Middlebrook. 


98  FAMILYLETTERS 

JACOBUS  VAN  ZANDT1  TO  MRS.  BANCKER. 

MORRISTOWN,  March  ist,  1779. 
Dear  Madam: 

Immediately  on  my  return  to  Morris  Town  I  made  it 
my  business  to  apply  to  Gov.  Livingston,2  to  grant  you 
the  indulgence  with  his  pass  to  go  to  New  York,  or  even 
as  far  as  Mrs.  Bancker's  on  Staten  Island,  on  business  of 
utmost  consequence  to  you,  and  pointed  out  to  him  the 
necessity  of  such  request.  His  answer  was,  he  was  de 
termined  not  to  grant  any  more  passes  to  any  person 
whatever,  and  informed  me  the  same  time  that  as  Gen. 
Washington  was  near  you,  that  you  might  apply  to  him 
for  such  indulgence;  since  several  persons  have  applied 
to  the  Governor  for  passes  which  have  since  refused. 

Pray,  Madam,  is  there  not  one  Maj.  Van  Zandt  and 
Miss  Van  Zandt  still  alive  with  you  or  in  your  naibour- 
hood?  (If  so)  we  shall  be  glad  to  hear  from  them,  and 
that  their  Mamma  expects  them  home  every  moment. 
Mrs.  Van  Zandt  joins  me  in  best  compliments  to  you, 
Miss  Bancker,  Miss  Duyckinck,  and  to  our  friends  Mr. 
and  Miss  Neilson.  I  remain,  Dear  Madam,  Your  most 
Humble  Servant, 

JACOBUS  VAN  ZANDT. 

Addressed:  Mrs.  [Sarah]  Bancker,  Rariton  To  the  care  of  William 
Neilson  at  Pluckmin. 


1  Jacobus  Van  Zandt  was  of  the  patriotic  party  in  New  York,  and 
was  chosen  to  attend  the  Provincial  Congress  in   1775.     He  was  a 
merchant,  engaged  in  a  general  importing  business,  with  a  place  on 
Rotten   Row,  near  the  Coffee  House.     He  died    in  1789,  leaving  one 
daughter,  Catharine,  and  two  sons,  Viner  and  James.     No  Major  of 
the  name  is  noted  in  the  army  list. 

2  William  Livingston. 


SAMUEL    BLACHLEYWEBB  99 

FROM  JAMES  HERON. 

CAMP  [RARITON],  March  2,  1779. 
Dear  Webb: 

Here  am  I  with  a  cursed  little  caitif  of  a  horse.  It  was 
with  the  utmost  difficulty  I  got  him  to  hobble  this  length. 
However  I've  rested  him  a  day,  and  now  am  setting  off 
to  try  him  a  second  time.  I  shall  be  happy  to  receive  a 
line  from  you  at  Danbury,  where  I  expect  to  be  in  a  few 
days.  This  will  be  handed  to  you  by  Col.  Butler,  whom 
I  beg  leave  to  introduce  to  you  as  my  particular  friend. 
You'll  find  him  to  be  all  the  man  I've  often  described  to 
you.  I  am,  Dear  Webb, 

Your  affectionate 

HERON. 

Addressed:  To  Col.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  at  General  [Benedict]  Arnold's, 
Philadelphia. 


FROM  JOHN  SwAN.1 

You  have  not  complied  with  your  word,  my  dear  Colonel. 
In  return  I  am  resolved  to  be  better  than  mine.  You  have 
not  had  time  it  seems  to  write  whether  you  are  well  or 
ill,  happy  or  otherwise.  You  know  by  experience  my 
situation  affords  a  few  moments  to  inquire  after  my  friends. 
As  such  I  embrace  this  opportunity  to  ask  how  you  are, 
how  you  have  been,  how  you  have  passed  your  time,  &c. 
We  go  on  in  the  old  way.  The  weather  being  remarkably 
fine,  walking  with  the  fair  sex  is  a  principle  amusement. 
Last  night  I  sat  an  hour  with  one  of  them,  who  lives  near 

1  Captain  in  the  jd  Regiment  of  Continental  Dragoons,  and  was 
taken  prisoner  at  Tappan,  September  28,  1778.  He  came  from 
Maryland. 


IOO  FAMILY     LETTERS 

the  center  of  this  city.  As  usual  she  was  chatty  and 
agreeable,  counting  the  days  of  your  absence  and  the 
hours  before  you  return.  I  did  not  then  know  of  this 
opportunity,  or  would  have  had  messages,  compliments, 
&c.  The  flour  you  was  to  send  me  is  not  yet  come  to 
hand. 

Mrs.  Bamb ridge,  who  I  was  with  last  evening,  begs 
you  will  apply  to  General  Washington  for  a  passport  to 
visit  her  children  and  friends  in  the  Jersey.  She  says  you 
will  confer  a  lasting  obligation  on  her  by  obtaining  the 
desired  permission. 

We  have  heard  nothing  of  the  exchange.  I  am  afraid 
you  have  not  succeeded.  If  so,  you  will  be  the  bearer  of 
the  first  letters  after  the  receipt  of  this.  Adieu.  God 
bless  you.  Dont  let  me  see  your  face  again  in  Flat  Bush. 

JOHN  SWAN. 

March  3,  1779. 

PIETY  PARLOUR,  [FLAT-BUSH.] 

On  the  outside:  Col.  Beatty  will  forward  this  by  some 
safe  hand  soon,  which  will  oblige  his  humble  servant, 

JOHN  SWAN. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  on  Parole,  at  Philadelphia. 
"Ex[amine]d.  J.  Keens." 


A  COMMERCIAL  VENTURE. 

We  the  subscribers  do  mutually  empower  Col.  Samuel 
B.  Webb  to  make  application  in  our  names  to  such  of  the 
persons  mentioned  in  a  list  annexed  or  any  others  which 
he  may  think  proper,  in  order  to  a  purchase  of  such  goods 
as  he,  or  the  agent  he  may  appoint,  shall  think  most 
likely  to  prove  advantageous  to  the  concern. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB 


101 


And  we  hereby  mutually  bind  ourselves  to  each  other 
to  share  the  profit  or  loss  which  may  arise  or  be  incurred 
by  the  transaction.  Should  Col.  Webb  think  it  advisable 
to  send  a  vessel  to  New  London  or  elsewhere,  we  authorize 
to  interest  us  to  the  amount  of  three  Hundred  pounds 
sterling  each,  to  be  on  our  joint  wish  as  above. 

PHILADELPHIA,  3rd  March,  1779. 

WILLIAM  CONSTABLE,  for  self  and  JAMES  SEAGROVE  two  shares. 

JAMES  &  ALEXANDER  STEWART,  for  two  shares. 

ALEXANDER  ROBERTSON  and  Co.  for  one  share. 

ROBERT  TOTTEN. 

THOMSON  &  SELBY,  for  one  share. 

SAML.  B.  WEBB  &  Co.  for  two  shares. 

JOHN  RAMSEY. 


SAMUEL  FRANKLIN. 

WALTER  FRANKLIN. 

JAMES  PARSONS. 

THOMAS  PEARSALL,  Merchant. 

THOMAS  PEARSALL,  Watchmaker. 

THOMAS  MCFARRAN. 

DANIEL  McCoRMicK. 

ROBERT  GAULT. 

SMITH  RAMADGE. 

k  EDMUND  SEAMAN. 

WM.  CONSTABLE  &  J.  SEAGROVE,  RAMADGE  &  McCoRMicK. 

ROBERT  MINER  [or  Muir]. 


ROBERT  TOTTEN, 


J.  &.  A.  STEWART, 


JOHN  THOMPSON  &  MR.  SELBY, 


LEE,  Enquire  if  he  is  come  from 

Europe. 

JOSEPH  HALLET. 
WILLIAM  MAXWELL,  Tobacconist. 

»  [WILLIAM  MAXWELL 

ALEXANDER  ROBINSON  &  Co.,  \  0 

'    [SMITH  RAMADGE 

JOHN  RAMSEY,  ROBERT  MERCER,  WILLIAM  LOWTHER. 

GROVE  BEND,  WILLIAM  MAXWELL 

Endorsed:  Agreement  for  the  purchase  of  goods  in  New  York. 


102  FAMILY     LETTERS 

FROM  MRS.  DELANCEY. 

Mrs.  DeLancey's  Compliments  to  Col.  Webb;  tho'  she 
has  not  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaintance,  has  taken  the 
liberty  of  sending  a  letter  to  his  care  for  Miss  Walton  1  at 
N.  York.  Major  Clarkson  was  so  obliging  as  to  send 
Mrs.  De  Lancey  word  that  Col.  Webb  was  going  to  New 
York,  and  would  carry  any  letters  she  should  send  to  him. 
She  has  sent  her  letters  open;  and  begs  after  the  Col.  has 
perused  them,  to  satisfy  himself  they  contain  nothing  of 
a  political  nature,  he  will  be  so  good  as  to  seal  them  up 
and  deliver  them  to  Miss  Walton,  and  Mrs.  Delancey 
will  think  herself  much  obliged  to  him. 

March  the  4th,  1779. 
[PHILADELPHIA.] 


FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH. 

HARTFORD,  March  6,  1779. 
Dear  Webb: 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  your  friends  are 
well.  Jack  will  soon  be  with  you  and  tell  you  everything 
that  concerns  you  in  this  quarter. 

Mrs.  Wadsworth  troubles  you  with  a  little  memorandum 
for  seeds  to  which  I  have  added  a  shaving  apparatus.  If 
it  is  quite  convenient  when  you  go  to  New  York  send 
them,  and  not  otherwise. 

I  have  no  news;  everything  is  as  usual  here.  Are  like 
to  effect  an  exchange.  Not  a  line  from  you  since  I  saw 
you.  I  hope  you  have  received  my  letters  of  the  26th 

1  Daughter  of  William  Walton,  of  St.  George's  (now  Franklin) 
Square,  New  York,  who  had  married  a  daughter  of  James  De  Lancey. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        103 

ultimo.  Farewell,  may  your  hopes  be  fulfilled  respect 
ing  your  exchange.  Mrs.  Wadsworth  and  sisters  join  me 
in  respectful  compliments. 

Yours, 

JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH. 

Addressed:   To  Col.  Sam.  B.  Webb,  Philadelphia. 


FROM  WILLIAM  BLODGET. * 

[RARITON,]  15  March,  1779. 
Dear  Webb: 

The  letter  which  accompanies  this  contains  everything 
you  could  wish  in  regard  to  the  invitation  of  Miss  Bancker 
and  Miss  Vanzandt 2  to  the  hop  tomorrow  evening.  I 
have  mentioned  that  we  will  be  with  them  by  12  or  i 
o'clock  tomorrow,  and  expect  they  will  be  in  readiness. 
You  can  however  write  to  Miss  Bancker,  if  you  think  it 
necessary.  It  will  not  be  amiss  to  send  your  servant  off 
immediately,  that  we  may  have  an  answer  tonight. 
I  am,  Dear  Sir,  Your  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  BLODGET. 

Addressed:    Colonel   Sam'l   B.  Webb,   at  Colo.   Biddle's  Quarters, 
Camp. 


FROM  CATHERINE  W.  LIVINGSTON. 

Waving  my  not  having  the  pleasure  of  a  personal  ac 
quaintance  with  Col.  Webb,  flatter  myself  he  will  excuse 


1  Of  Rhode  Island,  and  for  a  time  aide  de  camp  of  General  Greene. 

2  Catherine,  daughter  of  Jacobus  Van  Zandt. 


104  FAMILY     LETTERS 

the  freedom  of  inclosing  to  his  care  a  letter  to  my  Uncle 
Clarkson;  as  I  am  not  certain  of  your  taking  Morris 
County  in  your  route,  and  should  I  send  it  to  Elizabeth, 
it  may  not  come  opportunely. 

In  presenting  an  affectionate  remembrance  of  me  to 
my  friends  on  Long  Island,  you  will  oblige  their  and  your 
well  wisher, 

CATHERINE  W.  LIVINGSTON. 1 

PERSIPPINEY,  I5th  March,  1779. 

If  Col.  Webb  can  conveniently  favor  Mrs.  Livingston 
and  family  with  a  visit  before  he  returns  to  Long  Island, 
will  make  them  happy. 

Addressed:    Colonel  Webb,  Camp,  Rariton.     Dr.  Draper. 


FROM  OTHO  H.  WiLLiAMS.2 

Williams  begs  the  particular  favor  of  his  friend  Webb 
to  present  his  best  compliments  to  Swan,  Ramsey,  and 
his  other  very  worthy  fellow  soldiers  in  captivity.  Mrs. 
Ramsey  will  please  accept  Williams'  most  respectful  com 
pliments.  Johnny  Crook  3  is  humble  servant  to  his  dear 
female  friends  in  Flat  Bush.  General  Thompson  and 
Col.  Magaw  are  old,  intimate,  and  very  valuable  friends 


1  Daughter  of  William  Livingston,  Governor  of  New  Jersey. 

2  Otho  Holland   Williams,   of  Maryland,   who  was  wounded   and 
captured  at  Fort  Washington,  and  suffered  much  for  fifteen  months, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  exchanged.    He  was  Greene's  adjutant- 
general  in  the  Southern  campaign  and  led  the  Light  Corps  that  served 
as  a  rear  guard. 

3  A  nickname  for  himself,  possibly. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        IO5 

to  Williams.  His  best  wishes  attend  them  and  all  that 
may  be  comprehended  in  that  class. 

Col.  Webb  will  add  very  considerably  to  the  proofs  of 
his  friendship  for  Williams,  if  he  will  delicately  mention 
his  delicate  esteem  for  M[ari]a. 

Williams  wishes  Webb  an  agreeable  passage  and  speedy 
return. 

Saturday,  2Oth  March,  1779. 


To  B.  MCKENZIE. 

Sir: 

I  am  just  returned  from  the  country  to  a  state  of  cap 
tivity,  which  induces  me  to  request  you  will  pay  the  note 
of  hand  given  by  you  to  my  brother  for  supplies  in  similar 
circumstances.  I  should  not  in  any  other  situation  make 
a  second  application  for  the  money,  but  my  long  imprison 
ment,  my  great  expense,  and  a  knowledge  of  your  going 
abroad,  urges  me  to  it.  Your  order  on  your  brother  for 
the  amount  no  doubt  is  good,  but  that  cannot  at  present 
answer  my  immediate  demands.  Be  kind  enough  to 
attribute  the  subject  of  this  letter  to  my  situation  only, 
and  believe  me  with 

All  personal  respect, 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

SAMUEL  B.  WEBB. 

NEW  YORK,  24th  March,  1779. 


IO6  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  JOHN  WILEY. 

ELIZABETH  TOWN,  30  March,  1779. 
Sir: 

Please  to  pay  Joseph  Webb,  Esq.,  or  order,  whatever 
sum  you  can  conveniently  spare  on  my  account,  and 
you'll  oblige  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  WILEY. 

John  Livingston,  Esq.,1 

Flatbush,  Long  Island,  or  New  York. 

Capt.  Wiley  is  in  distress,  and  begs  the  particular 
attention  of  his  friend  Mr.  Livingston.  Every  little  will 
help  him.  I  think  he  said  the  felts  2  was  sold  that  you  are 
jointly  concerned  in.3 


FROM  NATHANIEL  RAMSEY. 
Sir: 

Has  the  flag  arrived  with  your  brother  yet?  Has  Sir 
Harry  4  given  any  answer  to  the  letter  which  went  from 
here?  Have  you  applied  for  your  Parole? 

I  send  by  my  servants  the  two  pamphlets  to  Mr.  Pin- 
tard  which  you  mentioned  to  me.  Do  you  think  it  prob 
able  that  I  could  purchase  a  quarter  cask  of  good  Madeira, 


1  One  of  the  name  was  a  member  of  the  Social  Club  in  New  York, 
which  passed  its  evenings  at  Fraunces  in  the  winter,  and  at  Kips  Bay 
in  the  summer.    It  was  dispersed  at  the  opening  of  the  Revolution. 

2  A  doubtful  word,   perhaps  by  intention  to  cover  some  trading 
matter. 

3  The  postscript  is  by  another  hand  —  that  of  Joseph  Webb. 

4  Sir  Henry  Clinton. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB 

or  a  gross  of  good  Port,  in  New  York  for  a  200  dollar  loan 
office  certificate?     When  shall  we  see  you  here? 
I  am  your  Humble  Servant, 

NATHANIEL  RAMSEY.1 
Last  day  of  March,  [1779.] 


FROM  COLONEL  AXTELL. 

Colonel  Axtell's  compliments  to  Colonel  Webb.  Will 
be  much  obliged  to  him  for  the  senior  officers,  name  of 
each,  and  District  where  the  prisoners  on  parole  are 
cantooned. 

FLAT  BUSH,  April  i6th,  1779. 


FROM  OTHO  H.  WILLIAMS. 

Williams  presents  his  best  compliments  to  his  friend 
Webb,  and  assures  him  he  has  not  forgot  his  special  com 
mands  respecting  the  subject  on  the  North  Branch.  As  a 
faithful  agent  Wms.  thinks  it  his  duty  to  inform  his  friend 
that  though  he  must  expect  competitors;  he  has  his  advo 
cates,  and  the  event  (at  least  to  a  Deputy)  appears  dubi 
ous.  Much  happiness  attend  you.  My  love  to  Johnny 
Crooks  friends.  Adieu. 

April  2oth,  1779. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Samuel  Webb,  Long  Island. 


1  Of  Smallwood's  Maryland  Regiment,  who  had  been  taken  prisoner 
at  Monmouth,  June  28,  1778.  He  held  the  rank  of  lieutenant  colonel. 
Exchanged  in  December,  1780,  he  retired  from  the  service  at  the  end 
of  the  year. 


IO8  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  WILLIAM  THOMPSON.  1 
Dear  Webb: 

I  would  have  gone  to  Flat  Bush  to  have  seen  you  this 
morning,  but  am  disappointed  in  getting  a  horse. 

I  have  sent  some  letters  which  were  intended  to  go  by 
Captain  Swan  to  Philadelphia,  but  as  I  am  told  he  will  not 
be  permitted,  must  beg  you  to  forward  them  by  the  first 
flag  to  Elizabeth  Town. 

I  am  sorry  Swan  is  not  allowed  to  proceed,  as  I  am  cer 
tain  the  supply  of  cash  will  neither  be  so  large,  nor  will  it 
arrive  so  soon  without  a  person  sent  on  purpose  for  it. 

I  thank  you  for  all  the  good  news  and  your  care  in  pro 
curing  such  intelligence,  and  am,  Dear  Sir,  yours  very 
sincerely, 

WILLIAM  THOMPSON. 
Sheriff's,  Tuesday  Morning. 
[GRAVESEND,  April,  1779.] 

Addressed:   To  Colonel  Webb,  Flatbush. 


TWELVE'S  LETTER.2 

This  will  be  handed  you  by  a  Friend,  with  another  piece 
of  paper  of  directions,  and  says  a  safe  place  for  you  to 
immediately  send  the  following  things  in  a  portmanteau 
well  locked.  They'll  arrive  safe  beyond  a  doubt,  and  I 
think  I  am  confident  the  affair  is  well  contrived.  You 


1  Brigadier  General  Thompson,  who  had  served  in  the  Canada 
expedition  and  suffered  capture  in  the  disastrous  attack  upon  Trois 
Rivieres. 

•  This  is  the  endorsement.  The  letter  is  addressed  merely  to 
"Twelve."  It  may  be  connected  with  the  agreement  on  trade  made 
in  March,  p.  100,  supra. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY     WEBB 

may  take  a  friend  to  share  profit  or  loss.  My  friend  here 
and  myself  expect  half  -  -  you  and  your  friend  half.  I 
should  write  you  by  the  Dittonary  [dictionary],  but  have 
not  got  it  here.  The  sooner  you  improve  this  opportunity, 
the  sooner  we'll  let  you  know  of  the  success  so  as  to  im 
prove  another.  I  write  you  soon  again,  but  before  I  write 
I  expect  to  receive  the  portmanteau  or  trunk  as  you  may 
judge  best.  The  half  of  the  money  I'll  be  accountable  for 
as  you  can  get.  Adieu. 

I  should  think  the  following  things:  i  ps.  Crimson  Silk 
Gauze;  I  ps.  green  good  silk  gauzes.  Mitinett  gauze. 
Catgut.  White  and  black  Persian  fasnetts.  Black  rib 
bons  and  others.  Black  feathers  and  white.  Pattinett 
gauze.  2  or  3  ps.  Linnen  will  do  well. 

I  wish  you  to  put  in  the  baggage  for  my  friend, 
A  sadle  Cloth  like  yours,  a  red  Moroco  Razor  case  like 
yours,  3  Silver  Epoletts,  3  doz.  cards,  and  when  convenient 
opportunity  offers  to  the  same  place,  a  Hamper  [of]  Porter. 

DlCTONARY 

I  think  you  may  haste  the  affair  and  make  much. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother: 

This  will  be  handed  you  by  Capt.  Rogers,  a  prisoner  now 
on  his  parole  to  New  York,  who  says  he'll  deliver  it  with 
his  own  hands.  I  have  sent  by  him  American  newspapers 
which  may  amuse  you.  I  must  own  after  parting  with 
you  and  Mr.  Winslow  and  really  on  the  passage,  I  reflected 
how  chagrined  all  your  friends  would  be  to  see  me  without 
you;  in  short  how  to  account  for  it  I  am  at  a  loss;  but  I 
cannot  but  think  the  general  exchange  will  take  immediate 


IIO  FAMILYLETTERS 

place.  Should  it,  or  should  it  not,  write  me  by  every  oppor 
tunity.  I  need  not  tell  you  how  disappointed  the  family 
were  that  you  did  not  come.  We  had  rather  a  tedious 
passage  to  Norwalk,  but  Mr.  Apthorp  and  his  lady,  and 
all  of  us,  made  out  as  well  as  could  possibly  be  expected, 
and  all  of  us  treated  with  much  politeness  and  civility. 
Mr.  Apthorp  bought  him  a  horse  at  Norwalk,  has  spent 
two  days  in  Wethersfield,  and  went  from  here  early  on 
yesterday  morning  for  Boston.  I  have  received  a  number 
of  letters  from  our  Boston  friends  who  are  well  and  in 
high  expectation  of  seeing  of  you.  Tell  friends  B.  and  R.1 
that  I  am  much  disappointed  about  the  dittos  omitted 
sending  me  that  I  first  picked  out,  which  is  quite 
unfortunate. 

Our  aged  Grandmother  was  buried  while  I  was  in  York. 
I  wish  you  would  let  Richard  buy  me  some  late  and  early 
Colliflower  seed,  which  I  forgot,  and  send  me  per  the  first 
opportunity.  Remember  me  to  Mrs.  Abbot  Sutherland, 
Capt.  Frazer  and  your  friends.  Adieu  my  dear  friend  and 
brother, 

JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD  April  23,  1779. 

The  bearer,  Capt.  Rogers,  is  on  parole  and  in  hopes  at 
least  to  convince  Mr.  [  ]  and  Burton  that  they  are 

willing  to  exchange  on  this  side;  particulars  I  refer  to  him 
for.  There  was  brought  into  Boston  last  week  2  Field 
Officers  prisoners,  24  Commissions  officers,  British,  &c., 
&c.,  bound  to  Georgia.  I  say  this,  that  I  could  get  one  of 
the  Field  Officers  for  you,  provided  Sir  Henry  Clinton  will 
consent;  but  I  confess  I  think  we  have  asked  as  much  as 


Berry  and  Rogers. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        III 

we  can,  and  I  hope  you'll  put  on  patience  and  make  the 
best  of  it. 

We  dined  upon  a  most  lovely  Salmon.  I  wish  you  had 
it.  Rivington  or  Gain  will  be  much  obliged  to  you  to 
exchange  their  papers  for  these  from  time  to  time. 

Send  me  a  pocketbook,  best  for  8  dollars. 

2  pair  common  temple  spectacles  for  persons  at  53. 


FROM  AQUILA  GILES. 1 
Dear  Colonel: 

You  \vill  much  oblige  me  by  asking  Berry  and  Rogers  if 
their  Spy  glasses  and  Pistoles  are  come  in.  Pray  are  you 
like  to  get  out,  or  do  they  mean  to  use  you  as  they  have 
heretofore.  I'm  with  every  sentiment  of  esteem,  Dear 
Colonel,  Yours  sincerely, 

A.  GILES. 
FLAT  BUSH,  Thursday  morning,  [April,  1779.] 

This  day  I  understand  Magaw  is  to  [be]  join'd  in  the 
bands  of  Hymen. 

Addressed:  Colo.  S.  B.  Webb,  N.  York. 


FROM  JAMES  KEENS. 

NEW  YORK,  27th  April,  1779. 
Sir: 

Mr.  Loring  was  just  gone  out  when  Richard  gave  me 
your  letter.  I  left  it  on  his  table  so  as  he  may  see  it  when 

1  Of  Maryland,  and  aide  de  camp  to  General  St.  Clair.  When  he 
was  captured  I  have  not  learned,  but  he  remained  a  prisoner  until 
November,  1780.  He  served  to  the  end  of  the  war. 


112  FAMILY     LETTERS 

he  dresses  for  dinner,  as  there  is  a  deal  of  company  to 
dine  with  him  this  day.  I  am  sorry  I  cannot  see  him,  so 
as  he  might  answer  your  letter  by  Richard,  but  you  may 
depend  upon  it  I'll  see  him  in  the  morning  before  I  leave 
town. 

Mr.  Loring  cannot  give  you  any  satisfactory  account 
concerning  you  being  exchanged  for  one  of  the  officers 
taken  in  the  Eagle  Packet.  As  soon  as  he  can  with  any 
propriety  he'll  let  you  know.  Mr.  L[oring]  is  always 
ready  to  serve  you;  proper  opportunity  must  be  observed. 
I  assure  you  I  am  never  happier  than  when  I  can  do  you 
any  service. 

I  am  sir  your  most  Obedient  Humble  Servant, 

JAMES  KEENS. 

Addressed:    Colonel  S.  B.  Webb,  Flat  Bush. 


FROM  JAMES  KEENS. 
Sir: 

I  am  going  to  Eliz.  Town  tomorrow  morning  early 
with  Generals  Thompson  and  Waterbury,  Col.  McGaw, 
&c.,  &c. 

I  wish  to  know  if  you  intend  sending  Mrs.  Brazier  the 
sugar  and  Howe's  acid  according  a  former  promise.  I  am 
doubtful  your  approbation  will  not  reach  me  in  time,  so 
I'll  at  hazard  take  a  small  loaf  of  sugar  and  2  or  3  bottles 
of  acid,  and  place  it  to  your  account. 

I  am  sir  Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

J.  KEENS. 
NEW  YORK,  2nd  [May,  1779.] 

Addressed:  Colonel  Webb,  Flat  Bush. 


SAMUEL    BLACK  LEY   WEBB 

FROM  RICHARD  SWANWICK. 

NEW  YORK,  5  May,  1779. 
Sir: 

I  am  in  hopes  by  means  of  the  obliging  letters  given  to 
me  when  I  last  saw  you  to  see  my  dear  wife  here;  and  it 
will  further  add  to  the  kind  obligation,  if  you  press  the 
matter  upon  any  of  your  brother  officers  going  out,  that 
by  means  of  united  and  generous  interest  I  may  obtain 
the  much  wished  for  sight  of  my  Dear  Wife.  I  have 
obtained  for  you  and  Mr.  Willing  two  hampers  of  the  best 
London  Porter,  which  will  be  delivered  to  the  bearer  of 
the  inclosed  note  whenever  called  for.  I  am  seeking  some 
other  necessary  things  for  you  and  Mr.  Willing,  of  which 
I  shall  ere  long  inform  you. 

Services  done  to  my  unhappy  wife  cannot  fail  to  engage 
my  warmest  gratitude,  and  hence  it  is  that  I  wish  for 
opportunity  to  render  any  acceptable  services  to  you,  or 
any  of  your  brother  officers,  to  whom  I  beg  my  compliments, 
being  very  respectfully,  Sir,  Your  most  obedient  Very 
humble  servant, 

RICHARD  SWANWICK. 

I  Hamper  for  Colonel  Webb 

I  Do.  for  Capt.  Willing 

Please  to  tell  Capt.  Willing  to  send  to  Peter  Lenox 
Tavern  near  the  ship  yards  for  two  jars  of  excellent  pickled 
oysters  there  for  him. 

Addressed:    Colonel  Webb,  Flat  Bush. 


114  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

FLAT  BUSH,  nth  May,  1779. 
My  Dear  Colonel: 

Should  you  not  succeed  in  bringing  about  a  partial 
exchange  for  what  officers  we  have  of  the  British  for  an 
equal  number  of  ours,  prisoners  on  Long  Island,  pray  send 
in  officers  of  equal  rank  with  Riley,  Hopkins  and  myself, 
that  we  may  go  out  on  Parole.  Capt.  Goodale  :  and  Mr. 
Tanner  2  will  esteem  it  a  very  great  favor  done  them  if  you 
can  send  in  two  gentlemen  that  they  may  go  out  on  Parole. 
Should  you  be  so  unfortunate  as  not  to  get  yourself  ex 
changed,  nor  be  able  to  send  in  an  officer  for  me,  and  you 
be  under  the  disagreeable  necessity  of  returning  to  your 
captivity,  pray  be  so  kind  as  to  purchase  a  horse  for  me 
and  bring  in  with  you,  that  I  may  be  better  able  to  spend 
the  remaining  part  of  my  captivity  in  as  agreable  a  manner 
as  possible.  I  am  too  sensible  you  know  our  disagreeable 
situation,  and  am  sure  you  will  do  everything  in  your 
power  to  relieve  us.  Pray  remember  me  to  all  friends. 
God  bless  you  and  send  you  all  you  wish  and  all  you 
desire. 

I  am  with  affection  and  esteem  your  Most  Obedient 
Servant, 

EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

Addressed:   Colo.  Sam'll  B.  Webb,  at  Flat  Bush. 


1  Nathan  Goodale,  of  Massachusetts,  captain  in  the  5th  Regiment, 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  King's  Bridge,  August  30,  1778.    He 
was  not  exchanged  until  October,  1780. 

2  Thomas    Tanner,    second    lieutenant    in    Bradley's    Connecticut 
Battalion,  taken  prisoner  at  Fort  Washington  in  November,  1776. 


SAMUEL    BLACHLEY    WEBB 


FROM  WILLIAM  THOMPSON. 
Dear  Webb: 

The  matter  is  at  last  fixed  for  our  going  out  on  Thursday 
morning.  Come  to  town  as  soon  as  possible.  Our  Paroles 
to  be  'till  called  for  or  exchanged. 

Send  Colonel  Magaw's  letter  to  him  without  loss  of 
time,  as  I  suppose  he  will  take  out  Mrs.  Magaw,  and  will 
have  little  time  to  prepare.  My  best  compliments  to 
my  friends  at  Flat  Bush,  and  am,  Dear  sir,  yours  very 
sincerely, 

WILLIAM  THOMPSON. 

Tuesday  Evening,  [NEW  YORK,  May  12,  1779.] 
Addressed:   To  Colo.  Samuel  Webb,  Flat  Bush. 


FROM  JOSHUA  LORING. 

NEW  YORK,  May  I2th,  1779. 
Sir: 

It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  the  Com 
mander  in  Chief  has  consented  to  your  going  home  on 
your  Parole,  and  to  remain  till  called  for.  You  have  there 
fore  permission  to  come  to  New  York,  with  your  Baggage, 
as  soon  as  it  is  convenient  to  you,  for  which  this  will  be 
your  sufficient  Pass. 

I  am,  Sir,  Your  most  obedient  and  Most  humble  servant, 

Jos.  LORING, 
Com.  Genl.  Prisn. 

Addressed:   To  Colo.  Samuel  Webb,  Prisoner  on  Long  Island. 


Il6  FAMILY     LETTERS 

FROM  BENJAMIN  BROWN. 

CAMP,  [RARITON,]  Friday  Evening,  May  28,  1779. 
Sir: 

Short  after  you  was  gone  the  boy  I  sent  to  Mr.  Gary's 
returned  without  a  bundle,  and  said  Mrs.  Gary's  compli 
ments  to  you,  and  that  she  had  sent  the  bundle  left  by 
you  to  Lord  Sterling's.  Make  no  doubt  you  will  hear  of 
its  arrival  as  I  suppose  you  halt  at  his  Lordship's. 

I  am,  Sir,  With  the  greatest  respect  Your  Most  obedient 
Humble  Servant, 

BENJAMIN  BROWN. 


FROM  MRS.  G.  APTHORP. 
Sir: 

Your  polite  offers  of  conveying  a  letter  to  Major  Bayard 
has  embolden  me  to  trouble  you  with  a  letter,  begging  you 
to  forward  it  with  a  line  from  yourself,  entreating  him  to 
send  me  out  a  few  articles  if  not  contrary  to  orders.  In 
that  case  I  suppose  you  can  continue  to  intercede  so  that 
I  may  have  them,  as  they  are  only  small  matters  for  my 
own  use.  Your  kind  attention  in  this  will  greatly  oblige, 
Sir,  Your  Humble  Servant, 

G.  APTHORP. 

July  3.  If  you  go  into  York  yourself,  shall  esteem  it  a 
particular  favor  you  will  see  Major  Bfayard]1  and  consult 
him  about  sending  them. 

[BOSTON,  June,  1779.] 

1  Samuel  Bayard  held  a  commission  in  the  Loyalist  Regiment  of 
the  King's  Orange  Rangers,  but  he  did  not  have  the  rank  of  Major 
until  1787.  He  was  an  importing  merchant  in  1768,  with  a  place  on 
Queen  Street. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEY   WEBB  117 

FROM  COLONEL  JOHN  BEATTY. 

Colonel  Beatty  returns  his  compliments  to  Colonel 
Webb.  Would  do  himself  the  pleasure  of  breakfasting 
with  him  but  is  prevented  by  preparing  some  letters,  etc., 
for  him.  Will  wait  on  him  certainly  this  morning  before 
eleven  o'clock,  and  begs  he  may  not  go  away  without 
seeing  of  him. 

Thursday  morning,  7  o'clock. 
[MIDDLEBROOK,  June, 


Addressed:    Colo.  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  at  Colo.  Biddle's  Quarters. 


FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

FLAT  BUSH,  i/th  June,  1779. 
Dear  Colonel: 

Yesterday  received  your  kind  favor  of  the  9th  instant 
by  the  hand  of  Capt.  Rankin.1  By  it  am  agreeably  in 
formed  of  your  safe  arrival  at  the  place  you  much  wished. 
I  congratulate  you.  At  the  same  time  I  lament  you  have 
not  effected  that  you  so  much  wished  for,  viz.  an  exchange 
for  yourself  and  friends.  Have  delivered  and  made  your 
compliments  to  Mr.  Clarkson  and  family,  and  your  many 
other  friends.  Mr.  E.  L.  has  called  for  payment  for  the 
two  barrels  flour  that  you  said  Mrs.  Miller  had.  She 
declares  she  has  not  received  any,  but  that  Richard  was  to 
deliver  her  two,  but  did  not.  I  wish  you  to  inform  me 
more  particular  about  them.  Have  settled  your  account 
with  Mr.  Vanderbelt.  Riley  and  Hopkins  are  well  and 


Robert  Rankin  of  Virginia. 


fl8  FAMILY     LETTERS 

desire  to  be  remembered  to  you.  Mr.  Clarkson  and  family 
are  well,  as  is  the  ladies  near  my  Quarters,  and  desire  their 
compliments  to  you.  Please  to  make  my  compliments  to 
your  brother  and  his  family,  to  Capt.  Riley  and  his  family, 
and  all  friends.  I  have  nothing  further  to  add  but  best 
wishes  for  a  speedy  exchange  for  yourself  and  your  friends. 
1  am  with  the  greatest  affection,  Dear  Colonel,  your  most 
Obedient  Humble  servant, 

EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

Addressed:     Collonel    Samuel    B.   Webb,   Wethersfield.      Captain 
Robert  Rankin. 


FROM  SARAH 

BOSTON,  June  2Oth,  1779. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

This  afternoon  Mr.  Wikoff  leaves  town  for  Philadelphia. 
By  him  I  send  your  key.  Am  very  sorry  that  we  did  not 
get  Josey's  letter  sooner.  I  was  at  Mr.  Temple's2  when  the 
post  went  out.  Hetty  is  still  there;  expect  her  tomorrow 
with  the  family  who  is  to  dine  here.  It  gives  me  sincere 
pleasure  to  hear  that  you  are  permitted  once  more  to  visit 
your  friends  again,  who  have  long  wished  to  see  you,  but 
none  more  than  myself,  and  shall  not  forgive  you  if  you 
dont  spend  part  of  your  time  with  me  before  your  return. 
I  have  much  to  say  to  you,  so  has  Hetty;  but  you  must 
come  here  for  I  am  determined  that  she  dont  leave  me  this 
some  time,  for  with  each  other  we  are  happy;  separated,  / 
am  miserable.  Remember  me  to  all  my  dear  brothers  and 

1  Mrs.  Simpson  became  Mrs.  Joseph  Barrell  on  November  16,  1778. 

2  At  Ten  Hills. 


SAMUEL     BL  A  CHLEY    WEBB  IIQ 

sisters.  I  have  not  time  to  write  them  by  this  convey 
ance,  which  I  am  sorry  for.  Mr.  Barrell  joins  me  in  love 
to  you  and  the  family.  Write  me  by  every  opportunity, 
and  believe  that  I  am  and  ever  will  be  your  sincere  friend 
and  most  affectionate  sister, 

SARAH  BARRELL. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  at  Wethersfield.     Favored  [by] 
Mr.  Wikoff. 


FROM  CAPTAIN  BEDLOW. 

Capt.  Bedlow's  best  respects  to  Colonel  Webb  and  will 
be  glad  to  see  him  at  Clinton  House.  He  has  been  ill  with 
a  dysentery,  otherway  would  have  waited  on  him. 

Wednesday  Evening. 

[NEW  WINDSOR,  June,  1779.] 


JOHN  WITHERSPOON  TO  COL.  UDNEY  HAY.* 

MORRISTOWN,  July  5th,  1779. 
Sir: 

On  my  return  to  Fishkill  I  went  out  to  inquire  after  my 
mare  and  received  for  answer,  that  she  would  not  be  fit 
to  travel  these  two  months.  It  was  not  convenient  for  me 
to  stay  and  I  was  sorry  I  did  not  see  you.  The  mare  is  a 
creature  I  value  very  much,  and  I  am  anxious  that  great 
care  should  be  taken  of  her. 

I  have  no  high  opinion  of  much  Farriery  in  such  a  case, 


1  A  copy  in  Webb's  writing.     Hay  was  Assistant  Deputy  Quarter 
master  General,  and  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 


I2O  FAMILY     LETTERS 

and  the  less  opinion  of  your  Farrier  for  the  horribly  pro- 
phane  expression  he  was  pleased  to  use  to  my  servant  when 
he  was  first  sent  to  him,  and  therefore  I  intend  to  inclose 
this  to  Mr.  Loudon,1  and  desire  him  to  take  the  mare  and 
put  her  to  grass  in  some  safe  place,  unless  you  should  your 
self  be  of  opinion  that  she  cannot  be  removed. 

I  very  much  desire  to  have  a  line  from  you  upon  the 
subject.  The  mare  I  had  from  you  I  shall  return  after 
she  has  rested  awhile  at  Princeton,  and  in  the  meantime 
I  shall  beg  your  directions  on  that  subject. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  Humble  Servant, 

JOHN    WlTHERSPOON.2 


JOSHUA  LORING  TO  LIEUT.  COL.  SiMCOE.3 

Dear  Sir: 

I  should  take  it  as  a  particular  favor  if  you  would  for 
ward  the  inclosed  by  a  flag  to  the  enemy's  out  post,  where 


1  Samuel  Loudon,  printer  of  the  New  York  Packet  and  American 
Advertiser.    He  had  emigrated  from  Ireland  and  kept  a  ship-chandler's 
shop  in  New  York,  but  established  his  newspaper  in  1763,  opening 
later  a  bookstore   in  Water  Street,  near  Old  Slip.     A  Whig  in  poli 
tics,  he  removed  his  press  and  types  to  Fishkill,  returning  to  New  York 
on  the  peace,  where  his  paper  continued  to  be  issued  in  1793,  but  under 
another  name  —  The  Diary,  or  London's  Register. 

2  Member  of  the  Continental  Congress,  clergyman  and  president 
of  Princeton  College. 

3  John  Graves  Simcoe,  commandant  of  a  provincial  corps,  the  "  Queen's 
Rangers,"  an  efficient  and  brave  soldier,  whose  experiences  are  related 
in  his  Journal  of  the  War  in  America.     In  1790  he  entered  Parliament 
from  Cornwall,  but  in  the  following  year  was  appointed  the  first  lieu 
tenant-governor  of  Upper  Canada,   serving  under  Lord  Dorchester. 
He  died  in  1806. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        121 

I  believe  Mr.  Nathan  Frink  is  waiting  for  it,  as  you  will 
see  by  the  inclosed  papers. 

I  am  with  great  esteem,  Your  most  obedient  and  Most 
Humble  servant, 

JOSHUA  LORING. 

NEW  YORK,  3ist  July,  [1779]. 

Addressed:    Lt.  Colo.  Simcoe,  Commanding  Queen's  Rangers. 


FROM  GEORGE  DRAPER. 

[July,  1779.] 
Dear  Sir: 

If  you  go  to  New  York,  I  beg  you  will  purchase  for  me 
to  the  amount  of  two  guineas  such  corduroy  as  you  can  at 
present.  I  am,  Dear  sir,  Your  very  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  DRAPER. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Sam'l  Webb,  at  General  Greene's  Quarters. 


FROM  THOMAS  MUMFORD. 

GROTON,  nth  August,  1779. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  promised  myself  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  here  before 
this,  which  I  had  a  right  to  expect  from  your  favor  of  isth 
ultimo.  Have  lately  heard  you  was  gone  to  Head  Quar 
ters  to  effect  your  exchange,  in  which  I  sincerely  hope  you 
will  succeed,  not  only  for  your  own  personal  satisfaction, 
but  for  the  benefit  of  the  Public  Service,  particularly  your 
Regiment  where  you  are  exceedingly  needed.  Still  hope 


122  FAMILY     LETTERS 

for  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  you  at  my  house  soon  after 
your  return  from  Head  Quarters,  when  I  hope  to  be  able 
to  congratulate  you  on  your  release  from  captivity.  My 
son1  is  now  at  Boston  refitting  my  Sloop  Hancock,  which 
narrowly  escaped  the  Greyhound  Frigate  by  outsailing  her, 
but  threw  eight  of  her  cannon  over. 

My  Compliments  to  your  brother  and  lady,  and  believe 

me  your  real  and  affectionate 

THOMAS  MUMFORD. 

Addressed:   To  Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  in  Weathersfield. 


FROM  FREDERICK  JAY. 
Dear  Sir: 

Being  just  informed  that  you  are  going  to  New  York  in 
a  few  days,  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  trouble  you  with 
the  inclosed  letters  which  you'll  please  to  have  delivered 
as  directed.  I  wish  you  all  the  success  possible,  and  am 
Your  very  obedient  servant, 

FREDERICK  JAY. 
RED  HOOK,  i6th  August,  1779. 

Addressed:    Collo.  Webb,  at  -   — .     Per  Mr.  Lane. 


CLUB  DINNER. 

WETHERSFIELD,  August  24th,  1779. 

A  CLUB  DINNER  is  proposed  to  be  at  Samuel  Stillman's 
house  on  Thursday,  at  Two  o'clock,  on  turtle,  when  the 
following  gentlemen's  company  is  desired. 
.  ELIZUR  GOODRICH,  RILEY,  ETC. 

1  Giles  Mumford. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY     WEBB 


123 


Capt.  JOHN  CHENEVARD 
Mr.  JAMES  CHURCH 
Mr.  JOHN  BIGELOW 
Capt.  JAMES  WATSON 
Col.  HEZ.  WILLYS  1 
Col.  JOHN  BROOME 
Mr.  NEHEMIAH  HUBBARD 
Mr.  JEREMIAH  PLATT 
Mr.  EBENEZER  PLATT 
Capt.  CALEB  BULL,  Jr.3 
Capt.  SMEDLEY  4 
Mr.  JOSEPH  BULL 
Mr.  WM.  IMLAY 
Capt.  ELIZUR  GOODRICH 

Capt.  ASHBEL  RlLEY  5 
A.  ROBBINS 

Capt.  C.  BULKLEY 
Capt.  JOHN  BULKLEY  Jr. 
Capt.  JOHN  CHESTER 
Mr.  LEONARD  CHESTER 
Capt.  THOMAS  NEWTON 
Capt.  ELIJAH  WRIGHT  6 
Mr.  B[ARNABAS]  DEANE 
Mr.  JOSEPH  WEBB 
Col.  SAMUEL  B.  WEBB 
Mr.  JOHN  WRIGHT 
Mr.  ALEXANDER  HUNT 
Mr.  JUSTUS  RILEY 
Mr.  GEORGE  STANLY 
Mr.  SIMEON  BELDEN 
Mr.  DANIEL  BUCK 
Col.  AARON  BURR 


Hartford 


Wethersfield 


gone 


Middletown 


1  Captain  in  the  6th  Battalion  Connecticut  Militia,  Wadsworth's 
Brigade. 

2  In  the  State  Quartermaster's  department. 

3  Commissioned  Captain  in  Webb's  regiment  in  1777,  but  resigned 
in  1778. 

4  Captain  of  the  Hibernia  and  Recovery,  privateers. 

5  An  old  trader  to  the  West  Indies  and  now  engaged  in  privateers, 

6  In  the  Connecticut  militia. 


124  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Mr.  GEORGE  STARR  Middletown 

Mr.  NATHAN  SAGE  " 

Capt.  MOSES  WILLIAMS 

Mr.  WILLIAM  GRISWOLD 

Mr.  WAIT  GOODRICH  Glastonbury 

Maj.  JOSHUA  HUNTINGTON 

Mr.  JAMES  LOCKWOOD 

Mr.  WILLIAM  MAY 

Mr.  STEPHEN  MITCHEL 

Mr.  JOSEPH  HILLMAN 

Mr.  JOSIAH  DEMING 

Capt.  ALLYN  STILLMAN 

Mr.  EBENEZER  WRIGHT 

Mr.  JOSEPH  BUTLER 

Capt.  CHESTER  WILLIS 

Mr.  WILLIAM  BEADLE 

Mr.  PETER  COLT 

WILLIAM  DEMING 
Capt.  MOSES  TAYLOR 
Lieut.  JOHN  HANMER 
Mr.  JOSIAH  BUCK 

Capt.  LUKE  FORTUNE  gone 

Mr.  Du  CASS 
Mr.  VIOLANG 


FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

FLAT  BUSH,  September,  1779. 
Dear  Colonel: 

I  received  yours  of  the  Qth  instant,  and  by  it  I  am  in 
formed  you  are  on  the  business  of  exchange;  hope  you  may 
not  be  disappointed.  You  seem  to  be  surprised  at  the 
conduct  of  some  gentlemen  here.  It  is  really  a  matter  of 
surprise.  I  could  say  much  on  this  subject,  but  for  good 
reasons  shall  omit  it  until  a  more  convenient  season,  as  I 
have  but  little  prospect  of  being  released  from  my  cap 
tivity  until  I  have  spent  another  winter  here.  Have 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        125 

determined  to  form  a  mess  of  four,  and  live  in  as  agree 
able  a  manner  as  our  situation  will  allow.  The  present 
manner  of  our  living  with  the  inhabitants  in  their  style, 
you  know  is  truly  disagreeable  and  far  from  being  fit  for 
any  other  persons  but  such  as  themselves.  To  live  like 
gentlemen  of  Colonel  Webb's  Regiment  have  requested 
Colonel  Wadsworth  to  send  on  a  small  supply,  a  copy  of 
which  have  inclosed  for  your  perusal,  and  in  case  he  cannot 
attend  to  our  request,  am  sure  you  feel  for  us  and  will  send 
such  supplies  as  we  have  asked  from  him.  The  good 
family  at  the  half  way  house  are  all  well,  so  are  the  ladies 
near  my  quarters.  Mr.  Riley  and  your  Adjutant *  are 
both  well  and  join  in  this  request.  Please  to  make  my 
best  compliments  to  Mr.  Webb  and  his  family  and  all  my 
friends  in  Wethersfield.  Shall  be  very  happy  to  hear  from 
you  every  opportunity. 

I   am,   Dear  Colonel,   Your  Most  Obedient  and  Very 
humble  servant, 

EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

Addressed:    Colo.   Samuel  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield  in  the  State  of 
Connecticut. 


FROM  SILAS  DEANE. 

MURDERERS  CREEK,  October  I5th,  1779. 
My  Dr.  Col.  Webb: 

I  promised  myself  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  at  Head 
Quarters,  but  have  been  disappointed  not  only  of  this  but 
of  receiving  any  letter  from  you  by  my  Brother.  I  re 
turn  to  Philadelphia  tomorrow  and  after  a  short  stay 

1  Elisha  Hopkins. 


126  FAMILY     LETTERS 

there  shall  proceed  to  Virginia  to  embark.  I  shall  write 
you  from  Philadelphia,  and  therefore  refer  you  at  present 
to  my  Brother  for  particulars.  I  pray  to  hear  from  you 
by  every  opportunity,  and  that  you  will  be  assured  I  am 
ever  most  affectionately  your  sincere  Friend  and  very 
Humble  Servant, 

SILAS  DEANE. 


FROM  JOHN  BEATTY. 

BETHLEHEM,  Sunday  Morning,  [November,  1779.] 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  this  moment  received  your  favor  of  last  evening. 
Will  wait  on  you  if  possible,  but  fear  I  shall  not  be  able, 
as  I  am  much  indisposed  this  morning.  Added  to  this  I 
fear  my  feeble  efforts  will  add  nothing  to  your  intentions 
in  going  to  Philadelphia.  I  wish  you  may  succeed,  but 
depend  on  it  it  is  only  a  finesse.  A  direct  answer  to  the 
certificate  will  serve  your  purposes  better.  If  I  should 
not  come  by  eleven,  you  will  please  to  leave  a  line  for  me, 
and  rest  assured  of  every  service  in  my  power.  My  sulky 
would  only  deceive  you.  It  is  much  out  of  repair,  and  is 
now  at  the  smiths  to  be  mended. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  yours, 

JNO.  BEATTY. 

Colonel  Beatty  will  thank  Colonel  Webb  to  take  charge 
of  the  letters  which  accompany  this. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  at  Colo.  Wadsworth's. 


SAMUEL    BLACHLEY   WEBB  127 

FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL. 

BOSTON,  ist  November,  1779. 
Dear  Sam: 

Tho  I've  nothing  particular  to  say  to  you,  yet  as  you 
Gentry  of  the  long  sword  are  so  very  tenacious  of  the  re 
spect  that  is  due  from  us  plebeians,  I  intend  to  spoil  this 
half  sheet,  least  my  omitting  it  may  offend  your  highness. 
Your  powder  is  not  yet  here;  when  it  arrives  I'll  do  the 
best  I  can.  What's  become  of  the  Gates  and  Washington?  1 
Why  were  they  not  in  company  with  the  Experiment 2  that 
you  might  have  made  your  fortune  when  Bro.  Jo  made  his? 
I  fear  the  season  is  too  far  advanced  for  such  little  fry  to 
do  anything  and  indeed  I  [torn}  part  of  them,  that  if  you 
want  to  increase  your  [torn}  say  the  word  what  you  will 
give  for  mine.  I  [torn}  may  have  it  in  your  power  to  secure 
it  for  your  share,  for  I've  lately  dip't  largely  this  way,  and 
at  New  London  are  vessels  that  would  take  both  Washing 
ton  and  Gates  and  stow  them  away  very  slyly  where  they 
could  not  easily  be  found.  I  mean  the  vessels,  not  the  men, 
for  I  should  be  sorry  to  have  them  secreted  until  the  game 
is  up.  Foolish  Britain,  she  is  just  beginning  to  reap  the  bit 
ter  fruit  of  her  wickedness  with  respect  to  America.  If  you 
are  sick  of  your  wife  Hetty,  you  may  bring  her  this  way; 
and  if  you'll  promise  to  dine  with  us  once  in  a  fortnight, 
you  may  come  yourself,  and  I'll  give  you  a  glass  of  wine 
nearly  equal  to  satisfaction,  lately  purchaised  from  the 

1  Privateers  which  had  been  quite  successful  in  taking  prizes. 

2  The  Experiment  was  a  schooner  of  twelve  guns,  and  a  crew  of 
eighty  men,  owned  by  William  Griswold  and   Company  of  Wethers- 
field.     The  master's  name  was  Nathan  Sage.      In    1780  the  same 
vessel  sailed   under  Giles   Hall,  Jr.   and  John   Bulkley,  Jr.   and  was 
then  owned  by  Barnabas  Deane  and  Company. 


128  FAMILY     LETTERS 

-  frigates  prizes.     Adieu.    I'm  in  haste,  sleepy  as  a  dog. 
Yrs.  &c.,  &c.,  &c., 

J.B. 

Addressed:  Colonel  Saml.  B.  Webb,  at  Wethersfield. 


FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

FLAT  BUSH,  I3th  November,  1779. 
Dear  Colonel: 

By  Mr.  Bull  am  agreeably  informed  you  and  friends  are 
well.  Am  much  disappointed  you  cannot  comply  with 
our  request  for  necessaries.  Your  friends  here  are  well.  I 
wish  you  every  good  thing  this  world  affords,  while  we  are 
here  enjoying  the  comforts  of  confinement  and  feasting 
upon  speck  and  clippers.  I  am,  dear  Colonel,  your  un 
fortunate 

EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

Addressed:  Collonel  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield,  Connecticut. 
Per  favour  Mr.  Bull. 


FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH. 

PHILADELPHIA,  December  24,  1779. 
Dear  Webb: 

I  have  your  two  favors,  the  first  inclosing  a  letter  to  Miss 
Bfancker].1  Be  assured  I  will  send  it  by  a  careful  hand,  or 
deliver  it  myself  when  I  return.  Your  brother  may  be 
assured  of  my  attending  to  his  affairs,  and  you  to  yours 
the  moment  I  can  have  time,  but  at  this  instant  I  am  more 
distressed  than  ever  I  was  since  you  knew  me.  I  am  con 
strained  to  stay  here  buried  in  business  and  slaving  day 

1  Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals,  II,  222. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  129 

and  night.  The  immediate  calls  of  the  army  demand  my 
whole  attention  and  that  of  everybody  else.  God  send  us 
better  times.  Sleep  to  which  I  have  been  lately  much  a 
stranger  forbids  me  to  add  more  than  that  I  am  Yours, 

JERE  WADSWORTH. 

Addressed:    Col.  Sam  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield. 


FROM  SAMUEL  ALLEYNE  OTIS. 

Sunday  Morning,  [January  23,  1780.] 

Mr.  Otis  compliments  to  his  most  valued  friends  Col. 
and  Capt.  Webb,  and  wishes  them  an  agreeable  journey. 
They  may  depend  upon  every  degree  of  attention  to  the 
particulars  of  Col.  Webb's  billett,  and  as  a  letter  by  the 
post  may  be  productive  of  one  from  them  in  return,  the 
love  of  pleasure  will  most  certainly  induce  Mr.  O.  to  take 
the  first  opportunity  of  writeing. 

The  worthy  brothers  will  not  forget  their  friends  when 
they  draw  the  corks,  and  'tis  expected  the  Lady  in  Long 
Acre  and  at  the  Rope  Walks  will  be  toasted  in  more  than 
one  bumper. 

God  bless  you  my  friends.     Long  life  and  laurells  to  you ! 


FROM  NATHAN  BEERS.1 
CAMP  NEAR  MORRIS  TOWN,  in  Marque,  26th  Jany.,  1780. 

Dear  Colonel: 

As  the  times  of  service  of  a  number  of  the  men  of  your 
Regiment  expires  on  the  first  of  February,   1780,  and  a 


Paymaster  to  Webb's  Regiment, 


130  FAMILY    LETTERS 

considerable  number  very  soon  after,  I  am  necessitated  to 
call  upon  you  for  the  accounts  of  cloathing  delivered  to  the 
Regiment  in  the  year  1777,  and  to  the  time  that  Col. 
Huntington  took  charge  of  the  same,  without  which  it  will 
be  impossible  for  me  to  make  a  settlement  with  the  men 
agreeable  to  his  Excellency's  orders  of  the  6th  instant; 
wherein  the  Regimental  Pay  Masters  are  directed  to  settle 
with  the  man  for  all  arrearages  of  cloathing  and  wages  due 
to  them  up  to  the  time  of  their  discharge. 

My  particular  situation  must  be  my  apology  for  troub 
ling  you  at  this  time,  as  I  cannot  come  at  the  accounts 
through  any  other  channel. 

Wishing  you  health  and  a  speedy  exchange,  I  remain 
your  Humble  Servant, 

NATHAN  BEERS. 

Addressed:    Colonel  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Connecticut,  Wethersfield. 


FROM  NEHEMIAH  HUBBARD. 

HARTFORD,  January  3Oth,  1780. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  am  favored  with  yours  of  this  date.  The  letters  you 
left  with  me  were  forwarded,  but  I  cannot  inform  you  by 
whom  they  were  sent. 

I  will  see  Mr.  Olcott  this  evening  and  desire  him  to  pay 
particular  attention  to  your  horses. 

Should  any  opportunity  to  Head  Quarters  offer,  you  may 
depend  on  being  advertised.  Your  obedient  Humble 
servant, 

N.  HUBBARD. 

Addressed:   Colo.  Sam.  B.  Webb,  Weathersfield. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB 

To  THOMAS  MUMFORD. 

Sir:  Sunday  Evening,  7  O'Clock,  [February,  1780.] 

I  this  moment  received  your  Billet  in  which  you  men 
tion  your  disappointment  in  not  seeing  me  as  proposed.  I 
know  of  no  other  appointment  made  than  that  you  said 
you  should  see  me  in  the  morning.  My  indisposition 
prevented  my  attending  Church.  I  flattered  myself  you 
would  call.  For  that  purpose  I  had,  agreeable  to  my 
promise,  collected  the  Bills  and  wrote  what  I  now  enclose. 
As  to  my  brother's  borrowing  of  you  Fifty  Guineas  for  me 
twelve  months  past,  I  confess  I  was  ignorant;  to  oblige 
you,  sir,  was  a  sufficient  inducement  for  me  to  part  with 
the  carnage,  and  as  he  is  in  your  debt  on  my  account 
(owing  to  my  unfortunate  captivity)  it  will  be  my  desire  to 
see  you  properly  and  honorably  paid,  either  in  money, 
carnages  or  any  other  thing  I  have  to  dispose  of.  I  am,  sir, 

your  most  Humble  servant, 

S.  B.  WEBB. 

The  Phaeton  &  Harness  (independent  of  the  Ticklingh 
cover,  cost  with  the  additional  Bills  for  brasses,  false 
collars  and  bridle  bits,  76  Guineas  @  28 /  is  ...  £io6.8/ 

The  weare  and  tear  of  the  carriage  since,  I  conceive  but 
trifling,  nor  have  I  a  doubt  it  would  command  the  above 
some  in  Philadelphia  immediately.  However,  if  Mr. 
Mumford  should  have  an  inclination  for  it,  for  his  own  use, 
Col.  Webb  will  consent  to  be  a  looser  40  dollars  from  the 
cost.  A  cheaper  one  may  be  bought,  but  none  that  I  have 
seen  so  good. 

Copy  sent  Mr.  Mumford,  Sunday  Evening,  7  o'clock, 
inclosed  in  a  letter  in  answer  to  his  of  this  date.1 


1  The  postscript  is  not  in  Webb's  writing. 


132  FAMILY     LETTERS 

FROM  THOMAS  MUMFORD. 
Sir: 

I  covet  no  man's  property;  therefore,  as  you  say  you 
have  no  doubt  of  obtaining  the  sum  in  Philadelphia  that 
your  Phaeton  cost  you,  have  no  desire  to  obtain  it  for  a 
less  sum;  but  that  being  considerable  more  than  I  am 
willing  to  give,  shall  think  no  more  of  purchasing  it;  I  had 
a  Right  to  suppose  your  Brother  would  have  informed  you 
I  lent  him  the  fifty  Guineys  mentioned  in  my  Billet,  as  he 
knew  I  lent  them  purely  to  oblige  Colo.  Webb.  Am  sorry 
my  desire  to  oblige  a  friend  in  captivity  should  now  be 
otherways  construed;  gratitude  is  a  virtue  I  am  happy  to 
possess.  I  have  no  Legal  Right  to  call  on  Col.  Webb  for 
any  sums  furnished  his  Brother,  but  as  his  said  Brother 
informed  me  he  wanted  the  money  only  for  you,  and  found 
it  very  difficult  to  obtain  what  solid  coin  was  necessary,  I 
freely  lent  it.  I  see  no  impropriety  in  giving  this  infor 
mation.  The  amount  of  the  Dutch  Bill  you  are  acquainted 
with,  which  with  the  Guineys  I  will  thank  you  to  inform 
your  Brother  I  am  in  want  of. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

THOS.  MUMFORD. 

WEATHERSFIELD,  Sunday  evening. 
13  February,  1780. 


FROM  JAMES  WATSON.  1 
Dear  Col: 

I   was   unexpectedly  detained  yesterday  that  I   could 
not  meet  you  as  proposed.     It  will  be  no  disadvantage,  I 

1  Commissioned  a  captain  in  Webb's  regiment,  January  I,   1777, 
but  resigned,  and  in  1780  became  State  Commissary  of  Purchases. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        133 

suppose,  as  the  Committee  of  Pay  Table  1  will  any  tim 
take  your  Receipt  and  balance  my  account. 

When  I  was  at  your  house  I  left  a  certifycate  respecting 
some  powder,  which  I  beg  of  you  to  leave  with  your 
Brother  for  me.  It  is  a  matter  of  great  consequence  to 
me  to  have  the  certifycate,  and  I  must  intreat  you  by  no 
means  to  forget  it. 

I  wish  you  a  good  journey  and  a  speedy  exchange  with 
as  much  sincerity  as  I  have  ever  been  Your  friend  and 
Humble  servant, 

J.  WATSON. 
HARTFORD,  February  26,  1780. 

Addressed:   Colo.  Sam.  B.  Webb,  Weathersfield. 


FROM  JOHN  Rics.2 

BOSTON,  Feby.  29th,   1780. 
Sir: 

I  have  just  received  your  letter  of  the  2ist  instant, 
enclosing  one  addressed  to  Major  Harnage,3  which  you 
may  be  assured  shall  be  delivered  him  with  safety  and 
dispatch. 

I  am,  Sir,  Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  RICE. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Samuel  B  Webb,  at  Headquarters,  Morristown. 


1  A  committee  of  the  Assembly,  instituted  in  April,  1775,  to  "ex 
amine,  liquidate,  adjust,  settle  and  give  needful  orders  for  the  payment" 
of  accounts  arising  from  the  raising  and  equipment  of  soldiers. 

2  Had  been  a  captain  in  the  l8th  Regiment  of  Continental  Infantry. 

3  Major  Henry  Harnage,  of  the  62d  Regiment  of  Foot,  of  which 
Valentine  Jones  was  the  colonel. 


134  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  ELISHA  HOPKINS. 

FLAT  BUSH,  7th  March,   1780. 
Dear  Colonel: 

We  wrote  you  by  Col.  Towles  :  requesting  that  some 
necessary  supplies  might  be  sent,  to  enable  us  (in  case  of 
an  Exchange)  to  discharge  such  private  debts  as  we  have 
been  necessitated  to  contract,  on  the  other  hand  to  render 
our  situation  more  agreeable  if  we  must  remain.  For 
which  purpose  we  shall  endeavor  to  procure  permission 
for  such  articles  to  come  in  as  you  may  think  proper  to 
send. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  T-  —be  desire  to  be  particularly  remem 
bered  to  their  old  friend.  We  have  received  every  mark 
of  friendship  and  politeness  from  that  gentleman  and 
lady.  Should  be  happy  to  have  it  in  our  power  to  get  the 
last  a  little  salmon. 

Major  Giles  will  be  able  to  inform  you  respecting  the 
half  way  House  and  the  manoeuvres  in  Limboshire.2 

Mr.  Fitzhugh  and  Blewer  are  present  and  desire  their 
particular  compliments.  Dear  Colonel,  I  have  the  honor 
to  subscribe  In  behalf  of  the  Officers  of  your  Corps  with 
the  Highest  respect  and  esteem, 

ELISHA  HOPKINS. 


1  Oliver  Towles  of  the  6th  Regiment,  who  was  captured  in  Decem 
ber,  1777,  and  exchanged  towards  the  end  of  1780.    He  was  a  Virginian. 

2  A  name  for  Flatbush. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        135 

FROM  GEORGE  OLCOTT.1 

WETHERSFIELD,  March  2Oth,  1780. 
Sir: 

I  take  this  opportunity  (if  not  too  late)  to  rectify  the 
mistake  I  made  in  information,  in  giving  you  the  minute 
of  the  Instruments  I  requested  purchased.  Instead  of  a 
case  of  Bistorys  I  want  a  case  of  Dissecting  [  ];  And 
further  request  if  the  money  sent  fall  short  of  their  prices, 
that  you  advance  it  for  me  if  you  can  with  conveniency 
and  not  disoblige  your[self.  The]  Instruments  shall  be 
your  security  till  you  receive  the  money.  You  add  [the] 
lawfull  interest  and  full  compensation  for  your  trouble. 
From  your  humble  servant, 

GEORGE  OLCOTT. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  Morristown. 


FROM  JOHN  CARTER. 

BOSTON,  March  26th,  1780. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  am  favored  with  yours  of  the  28th  ultimo.  I  am  ex 
ceedingly  obliged  to  you  for  your  caution  respecting  my 
letter,  and  hope  you  have  by  this  time  found  an  oppor 
tunity  to  forward  it.  I  long  much  to  hear  from  you  about 
Business.  General  Schuyler  is  at  Philadelphia.  I  have 
wrote  to  him  by  this  conveyance  desiring  him  to  request 
of  General  Washington  permission  for  me  to  go  to  New 
York  and  I  hope  his  application  will  be  attended  with 
success. 


1  Dr.  George  Olcott,  who  became  one  of  the  original  members  of 
the  Connecticut  Medical  Society,  in  1792. 


136  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Mrs.  Carter  and  Miss  Schuyler  desire  their  particular 
compliments  to  you.  Erskine  and  Harry  have  left  us; 
you  have  doubtless  seen  them  before  this.  We  still  keep 
it  up  here  pretty  well,  and  the  lads  are  in  good  spirits. 
Adieu.  I  am  ever  sincerely  yours, 

JOHN  CARTER. 

Addressed:  Coll.  Saml.  B  Webb,  to  the  care  of  Major-General  Greene, 
near  Head  Quarters,  Morristown. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  have  only  time  to  say  that  untill  the  arrival  of  your 
letter  of  today  the  whole  family  have  thought  extremely 
hard  of  you  for  your  neglect  of  writing.  We  have  had 
several  family  hops  since  your  arrival  which  have  been 
vastly  agreeable,  indeed  much  beyond  what  could  have 
expected.  Last  evening  there  was  a  large  collection  of 
officers,  etc.  at  Middletown,  and  this  evening  all  meet  at 
Windsor.  For  news  of  all  kinds  I  refer  you  to  the  bearer. 

The  264  is  arrived  but  408  90  her  324's  [cargoe?]  has 
about  hrrrr  wt  of  sugar,  some  coffee,  etc.,  but  no  great 
things  to  brag  of.  Her  324  [cargo?]  will  197  [net?]  us  hrrr 
£  and  she's  now  coming  up  the  river.  The  455  is  gone 

down,  will  315  from  455  £ in  h  214.690  375  448  568  are 

366ed  One  hth.  376  a  207  thing.1  Your  baggage  is  yet 
at  the  store.  Lockwood  has  had  a  pretty  arrival.  Tryon  2 
from  P.  A  Prince.  Colt  is  concerned.  What's  become  of 
my  Magazines?  What's  become  of  Beatty-arnold?  More 

1  Referring  to  some  privateering  venture,  but  indecipherable  with 
out  the  key. 

2  Moses  Tryon  commanded  the  Jason.    He  was  of  Wethersfield. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        137 

I  cant  write,  as  the  bearer  waits.  Hubbard  promises 
your  baggage  to  go  on  tomorrow  or  next  day.  Write  me 
as  often  as  possible.  Adieu. 

All  friends  desire  to  be  remembered    Yrs.  Affectionately, 

j.  w. 

29th  March,  1780. 


FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON. 
Dear  Webb: 

This  whole  day  have  I  flattered  myself  with  the  pleas 
ing  thoughts  of  drinking  tea  at  Mrs.  Greene's  :  this  after 
noon,  in  Company  with  Miss  Bancker  and  Miss  Lott,2 
etc.,  etc.,  but  instead  of  that  at  4  o'clock  I  find  myself  in 
Hutt,  on  business  which  threatens  me  during  the  evening. 

Upon  some  occasions  I  should  suppose  the  weather 
might  induce  me  to  remain  at  home;  but  at  this  time  the 
weather  would  be  too  trifling  an  excuse,  and  on  that 
account  that  Rascall  of  a  Business  has  intruded  to  pre 
vent  my  promis[ed]  Pleasure.  That  being  the  case,  permit 
me  to  trouble  you  in  presenting  my  compliments  to  the 
Ladies,  and  in  the  same  pretty  way  you  speak  for  your 
self,  then  (in  my  misfortune)  I  shall  be  honored. 

Ashur  waits  on  you  for  your  directions  for  Gra[zvafer.] 

If  your  slender  Constitution  will  receive  no  injury  from 
the  weather,  nor  your  feelings  by  the  absence  from  the 
company  of  the  Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  permit  me  to 


1  Wife  of  Nathanael  Greene.    She  was  Catherine  Littlefield,  daughter 
of  John  Littlefield. 

2  Abraham  Lott  married  Gertrude,  daughter  of  Andrew  Coeyman, 
and  had  one  son,  Andrew,  and  four  daughters.     Catharine  married 
Col.  William  Livingston  and  Cornelia,  Comfort  Sands.    Two  daughters 
remained  unmarried. 


138  FAMILY     LETTERS 

request  your  company  at  the  Hutt  this  night,  and  in  the 
morning  you  may  enter  on  your  command  of  me  for  the 
day.  Adieu. 

EB.  HUNTINGTON. 

Monday,  [March,  1780.] 

P.  S.     Jackson   will   call   for   you   on   his    return   from 
General  Knox  and  expect  your  company  to  the  Hutt. 


FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON. 

Thursday,  I   o'clock,   [April,   1780.] 

[Camp  near  MORRISTOWN.] 
Dear  Webb: 

Before  I  received  your  note  by  Richard  I  sent  a  lad 
with  one  to  Morris  Town,  but  it  was  too  late;  you  had  gone. 
I  have  sent  by  Richard  a  few  balls  which  I  have  procured, 
but  as  to  powder  or  more  ball,  I  can  send  none  without 
making  use  of  the  publick  cartridges,  which  I  can  not 
think  justifiable.  I  have  so  often  made  excuses  for  not 
visiting  Mr.  Lott's  family  (tho'  never  without  really 
having  one),  that  I  am  unwilling  to  repeat  it;  but  am 
obliged  to  in  justification  of  my  own  feelings,  and  in  compli 
ance  to  the  true  politeness  I  have  received  from  that 
family.  The  C[ourt]  Martial  is  not  dissolved,  and  [I]  ex 
pect  it  will  sit  tomorrow.  I  wish  you  to  assure  Mr.  Lott 
that  I  am  not  callous  to  the  civilities  I  have  received,  and 
to  convince  him,  [I]  will  as  soon  as  I  can  take  my  horse  in 
the  morning,  and  just  alight  myself  at  Brunswyck  to 
spend  the  day  with  the  family. 

As  soon  as  the  Weekly  Return  is  made  out  I  will  send 
him  two  carpenters  agreeable  to  his  desire  for  a  week. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        139 

Make  my  compliments  to  the  family  and  believe  to  be 
yours  Sincerely, 

EBEN.  HUNTINGTON. 

Addressed:    Colonel  Webb,  Beverwyck.     Per  Richard. 


FROM  GEORGE  OLNEY/ 
Dear  S'r*  MORRIS  TOWN,  i8th  April,  1780. 

Mrs.  Greene  declines  letting  her  carriage  go  to  the 
Raraton,  lest  any  movement  of  the  enemy  in  its  absence 
should  make  her  departure  hence  necessary! 

My  horse  and  chaise  is  at  your  service;  but  as  it  would 
not  be  clever  for  the  ladies  to  drive,  especially  as  the 
horse  is  rather  skittish  and  unused  to  a  carriage,  I  sup 
pose  this  conveyance  would  not  comport  with  your  wishes; 
if  it  will,  Mrs.  Olney  will  be  ready  to  attend  you  at  any 
hour  you  please  tomorrow  morning.  With  esteem,  I  am, 
Dear  Sir,  Your  Friend  and  servant, 

GEORGE  OLNEY. 


FROM  WALTER  STEWART.2 
D        W  bb-         Thursday  afternoon,  [MORRISTOWN,  May,  1780.] 

I  received  the  Herring,  for  which  [I]  return  my  sincere 
thanks. 

I  am  rather  unwell  today.  Should  the  indisposition 
continue,  I  much  fear  I  shall  not  be  able  to  visit  the 


1  Of  Rhode  Island,  In  October  he  was  appointed  by  the  General 
Assembly  to  "post  up  the  accounts  of  this  State  against  the  United 
States,"  and  was,  later,  receiver  of  the  Continental  taxes. 

2  Colonel  of  the  2d  Pennsylvania  Regiment.    He  had  been  aide  de 
camp  to  General  Gates  in  1776. 


I4O  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Raraton  on  Sunday;  but  I  will  endeavor  to  do  it  as  much 
as  possible,  and  shall  acquaint  Huntington  previous  to 
my  setting  off.  I  am  Yours  sincerely, 

W.  STEWART. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

My  Dear  Brother: 

I  forgot  a  very  material  affair  which  was,  in  the  Con 
necticut  line,  to  find  out  the  late  Captain  Beaumont  in 
the  Surinam  Trade.  Let  Richard  find  him  out  and  ask 
him  for  a  receipt  and  an  account  where  B[arnabas]  Deane 
and  Riley  may  call  for  the  Bills  in  Surinam  he  left  be 
hind.  A  vessel  [is]  now  bound  to  Surinam.  They  want 
to  send  the  Receipt  to  get  the  money  from  Surinam.-  The 
Experiment  has  taken  a  prize  of  90  HHd  Rum.  Stupid 
Stephen  left  one  of  my  shirts  with  another  of  Capt.  Webb's 
in  the  room  I  lodged  at  at  Mrs.  Green's.  Will  you  call 
on  Campbell,  a  small  tavern  on  your  road  about  20  miles 
from  here,  and  ask  delicately,  if  when  I  lay  down  today 
on  the  bed  I  did  not  drop  a  golden  guinea.  I  am  yours 
sincerely,  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

[wafer]  HAVERSTRAW,  Tuesday  Evening  [June,  1780.] 

Addressed:  Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  at  General  Greene's,  Morris- 
town. 


FROM  TITUS  HOSMER. 

[HARTFORD,  June,  1780.] 
My  Dear  Sir: 

I  have  no  time  to  write.     Col.  Wadsworth  will  deliver 
you    the   Act    of   Assembly    respecting   your    Battallion, 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB 

which  I  flatter  myself  will  be  agreeable  to  your  wishes.  I 
can  only  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  two  last  letters. 
Thank  you  for  their  contents,  and  assure  you  of  the  in 
violable  affection  with  which  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Dear 
Sir,  Your  friend  and  humble  servant, 

TITUS  HOSMER. 

Addressed:     Colo.    Samuel    B.    Webb,    Morristown.      Honored  by 
Colo.  Wadsworth. 


FROM  MAJOR  GENERAL  HEATH. 

G[eneral]  H[eath]  commends  much  C[olonel]  W[ebb]'s 
good  judgment  in  leaving  the  present  relaxing  climate  of 
Jersey  for  a  more  northern  latitude,  and  there  are  times 
and  seasons  when  it  may  be  as  necessary  for  a  man  to 
pay  a  visit  to  his  uncle  as  his  aunt. 


FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH. 

[HARTFORD,  July  17,  1780.] 
Dear  Webb: 

The  Bearers,  Joseph  Poling,  Gay  Chapel,  are  recom 
mended  to  me  by  Col.  Hay,  at  Fish  Kills.  They  left 
Canada  and  are  seeking  business.  I  beg  the  favour  of 
you  to  procure  them  a  passage  to  New  Port,  in  the  vessel 
you  are  going  in.1  I  am,  Dear  Sir,  Your  very  humble 
servant, 

J.  WADSWORTH. 

Addressed:    Col.  Sam.  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield. 


Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals,  II,  274, 


142  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

FLAT  BUSH,  28th  July,  1780. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  wrote  you  in  May  last  by  Mr.  Shirtliff,  in  which  I 
particularly  requested  you  to  send  me  a  horse;  since 
which  I  have  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Jos.  Webb,  prom 
ising  that  my  request  should  be  immediately  complied 
with,  and  am  still  impatiently  awaiting  his  arrival. 

Every  idea  of  an  exchange  is  now  at  an  end,  and  we 
left  to  linger  out  an  irksome  captivity  in  want  and  misery. 
Sixteen  months  are  past  without  the  least  attention  from 
the  public.  To  be  thus  neglected  by  the  public,  and  by 
those  I  thought  my  friends,  is  too  much,  and  how  much 
longer  they  will  continue  their  inattention  I  cant  say; 
but  this  I  can  say,  they  are  every  day  losing  the  esteem 
of  their  officers  in  captivity.  Sir,  if  you  will  be  so  kind 
as  to  inform  me  if  I  am  to  have  my  horse  or  not,  for  I  am 
unwilling  to  give  you  any  farther  trouble  on  the  subject. 
Your  bill  of  exchange  is  unsold  as  yet.  I  am,  sir,  your 
neglected  Humble  servant,  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield,  Connecticut. 


FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 
Dear  Col: 

I  wrote  you  on  the  28th  July  by  way  of  Jersey.  I  then 
intended  not  to  have  wrote  you  any  more,  untill  I  had 
received  a  line  from  you  and  a  horse,  which  I  have  long 
and  impatiently  been  waiting  for. 

A  good  and  quick  convaince  has  just  presented,  which  I 
embrace  once  more,  to  request  you  will  be  so  obliging  as 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        143 

to  forward  me  a  good  horse  by  the  first  opportunity, 
which  I  am  in  great  want  of;  more  particularly  as  every 
idea  of  an  exchange  is  now  at  an  end,  [and]  we  left  to 
drag  out  the  remains  of  a  long  and  irksome  captivity  in 
indigency  and  want.  Near  sixteen  months  are  past  since 
the  least  attention  paid  us  by  the  public,  and  how  much 
longer  they  will  continue  their  inattention  I  can't  say; 
but  to  be  thus  neglected  by  the  public  and  by  our  friends 
I  think  is  rather  Taught  [tough]. 

If  we  could  be  indulged  with  paroles  to  go  home,  it 
might  alleviate  us  some.  Cannot  such  a  thing  be  effected 
for  us  by  sending  in  officers  of  similar  rank? 

I  must  conclude  by  adding  I  am,  Dear  Sir,  your  most 
Obedient  and  most  Humble  Servant, 

EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

n  o'clock  at  night.     FLAT  BUSH,  1st  August,  80. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield,  Connecticut. 


FROM  LEWIS  MORRIS.  1 

VERPLANCK'S  POINT,  August  6th,  1780. 
My  dear  Sir: 

I  received  your  favor  of  the  29th  ultimo  with  the  in 
closed,  which  was  forwarded  by  a  horseman  last  evening, 
agreeable  to  the  direction  of  your  brother. 

I  am  happy  to  hear  of  your  safe  return.  I  was  under 
some  apprehensions  of  your  falling  in  with  the  British 
fleet,  which  would  have  been  peculiarly  unfortunate  for 
you  as  a  prisoner.  Apropos,  nothing  wrould  give  me  more 

1  Son  of  Judge  Lewis  Morris,  and  now  aide  de  camp  to  General 
Greene. 


144  FAMILY     LETTERS 

pleasure  than  to  see  you  at  the  head  of  your  Regiment 
this  campaign;  but  how  can  it  be  effected?  Point  out  a 
mode,  and  everything  I  can  say  or  do  in  the  matter  shall 
be  attempted.  There  is  no  general  exchange  taken  place 
as  yet,  and  a  partial  one  has  not  been  agreed  to. 

Your  anxiety  to  hear  from  the  dear  girl *  is  very  natural. 
I  know  it,  because  I  have  felt  as  you  felt.  I  have  done 
everything  in  my  power  to  establish  a  more  regular  channel 
of  conveyance  from  the  Branch,  and  I  think  I  have  now 
effected  it.  Your  letters  will  be  forwarded  from  Mrs. 
Van  Vecter's  at  my  particular  request,  and  the  lady's 
lodged  there.  The  expresses  to  and  from  Philadelphia 
shall  be  directed  to  call;  this  will  be  an  easy  and  secure 
conveyance,  and  is  the  best  plan  I  can  adopt  in  my  pres 
ent  circumstances,  which  I  hope  may  meet  with  your 
approbation. 

Mr.  Temple,  you  inform  me,  has  at  last  put  his  plan  in 
execution.2  I  have  long  since  deluded  myself  into  a  belief 
that  it  would  never  take  place,  and  therefore  I  feel  the 
greater  mortification.  Alas!  she  is  gone,  and  I  have  to 
lament  her  departure.  Believe  me,  my  dear  Webb,  it  is 
the  severest  trial  I  ever  experienced.  She  was  as  dear  to 
me  as  my  life.  Our  passion,  I  flatter  myself  was  mutual, 
and  nothing  but  the  cruel  determination  of  her  father 
could  have  prevented  a  union,  which  my  happiness  so 
much  depended  upon.  Thus  circumstanced,  I  know  it  is 
natural  to  suppose  that  it  was  in  my  power  to  have  pre 
vented  her  going.  It  was  not  unattempted  I  assure  [you]. 

1  Eliza  Bancker. 

2  This  may  have  been  John  Temple,  who  was  at  this  time  in  the 
United  States  and  had  visited  Congress.    His  eldest  daughter  married 
Thomas  Lindall  Winthrop  of  Boston. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        145 

But  such  was  her  filial  affection,  and  the  positive  objec 
tions  of  her  father  to  her  forming  a  connection  in  this 
country,  that  she  was  under  the  disagreeable  necessity 
of  sacrificing  the  more  endearing  considerations  to  a  duty, 
which  she  conceived  she  owed  her  parents.  God  bless 
her,  and  as  I  am  precluded  from  the  expectation  myself, 
may  she  be  as  happy  in  a  connection  with  another,  as  I 
flatter  myself  she  would  have  been  with  me. 

As  General  Clinton  has  returned  to  New  York,  the  plan 
in  meditation  against  New  York  has  subsided,  and  the 
army  is  now  crossing  the  river  to  take  post  at  Dobbs 
Ferry,  where  we  shall  establish  a  communication  across 
the  river,  and  make  our  approaches  regularly,  agreeable 
to  the  original  plan.  My  respects  at  home  and  believe 
me.  [Signature  torn  off.} 


FROM  JOHN  HART.1 

SAY  BROOK.  August  I2th,  1780. 
Dear  Sir: 

According  to  your  request  per  my  brother,  I  have  this 
day  wrote  Col.  Huntington  respecting  the  note,  and  told 
him,  I  expected  to  have  the  full  value  of  the  money  at  the 
time  of  paying  accounted  to  you,  and  requested  him  to 
write  you  upon  the  matter  immediately.  I  expect  to  go 
from  home  soon,  and  should  I  not  return  in  season  to  settle 
our  accounts,  have  in  that  case  requested  Capt.  Bull  to 
settle  them  for  me,  and  have  furnished  him  with  my  paper, 
&c.,  as  requisite.  If  you  have  no  price  for  the  cloathing, 

1  He  seems  to  have  been  a  quartermaster  sergeant  in  the  5th 
Battalion  of  Connecticut  Militia,  Wadsworth's  Brigade.  Appointed 
in  July,  1776,  he  was  discharged  when  the  six  months  for  which  the 
battalion  was  raised  expired. 


146  FAMILY     LETTERS 

let  that  part  lye  until  you  and  I  see  one  another  again.  I 
have  nothing  more  to  add  but  am,  with  esteem,  your  Very 
Humble  Servant,  J.  HART. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Samuell  B.  Webb,  Weathersfield. 


THOMAS  MONCRIEFFE  1  TO  MRS.  BANCKER. 

Dear  Madam:  LoNG  IsLAND>  2Ist  August'  I78°" 

I  received  your  letter  by  Mrs.  Dunscombe,  and  answered 
it  soon  after  by  Major  Giles,  since  which  I  have  obtained 
a  permit  for  you  to  come  into  New  York,  which  I  shall 
inclose  and  leave  with  Mr.  Mathews  to  forward,  and  be 
assured  you  will  meet  with  no  difficulty  on  this  side. 

I  have  already  laid  a  foundation  for  you  to  act  on  in  the 
collecting  your  money,  and  I  have  every  reason  to  suppose 
you  will  settle  your  business  to  your  mind.  Mr.  Mathews 
has  assured  me  he  will  lend  you  all  the  assistance  in  his 
power.  At  all  times  you  may  command,  Dear  Madam, 
your  truly  respectful  and  most  obedient  servant, 

T.  MONCRIEFFE. 

The  above  is  a  true  and  exact  copy  of  Major  Moncrieffe's 
letter  to  Mrs.  Sarah  Bancker.  Certified  by 

SAMUEL  B.  WEBB.2 


FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL. 

Dear  Sam:  BosTON'  3Ist  August'  I78a 

You  would  have  heard  from  me  before  in  answer  to  two 
or  three  letters  received  from  you,  but  my  confinement  to 

1  A  captain  in  the  59th  Regiment  and  major  of  brigade. 

2  Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals,  II,  302. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        147 

my  bed  prevented.  I  am  sorry  you  are  prevented  com 
ing,  upon  the  account  you  are.  This  cursed  act  being  so 
often  repeated  leaves  me  no  hopes  of  real  amendment.  I 
see  the  concerned  mistrust  the  author,  as  her  conduct 
while  here,  having  got  amongst  the  lower  sort,  has  spread 
pretty  far  I  fear.  I  wish  you  had  been  confined  in  New 
York  when  you  brought  her,  for  had  she  never  been  here 
this  matter  might  very  easily  been  covered;  but  as  it  is, 
what  is  it  to  you  that  you  should  deprive  yourself  any 
pleasure  on  that  account.  Your  an  honest  dog,  and  so  is 
Kitty;  both  of  you  and  every  other  of  the  family  will 
always  be  welcome  at  my  home.  We  expect  to  see  you 
after  your  return  from  the  Jerseys,  and  don't  make  it  late 
in  the  fall,  for  fear  I  shall  be  plagued  with  you  again  all 
winter,  and  your  example  should  prove  my  ruin. 

My  love  to  Kitty.  By  this  opportunity  her  gown  will 
be  forwarded,  and  I  hope  come  safely.  I've  informed  Col. 
Gary  of  this  opportunity.  He  has  wrote  you  by  this  days 
post.  Adieu  in  haste,  Yours  affectionately, 

J.  BARRELL. 

Addressed:    Col.  Sam.  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield. 


FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY  AND  ELISHA  HOPKINS. 

MORRIS  TOWN,  I7th  December,  1780. 
Dear  Col: 

This  will  inform  you  of  our  being  in  the  Land  of  Liberty, 
God  be  praised.  We  intend  doing  ourselves  the  honor  of 
waiting  on  you  at  your  New  Quarters,  but  Capt.  Hopkins 
is  very  unwell,  and  our  Horses  has  been  boarding  at  Flat 
Bush,  two  circumstances  much  against  us,  and  will  we 
hope  [be]  a  sufficient  appologe  for  our  taking  the  Liberty 


148  FAMILY     LETTERS 

to  request  you  to  come  here,  as  we  are  very  anxious  to  see 
you,  and  shall  wait  the  return  of  Hackley  1  the  barrer  of 
this.  If  you  cannot  see  us,  we  wish  to  have  your  order 
and  proceed  home;  the  canteens  &c.  have  got.  Please  to 
make  our  compliments  to  your  Lady  and  Capt.  Webb,  if 
with  you.  We  are,  Dear  Col.,  with  every  sentiment  of 
esteem  Your  most  obedient  and  most  Humble  servants, 

EDWD.  BULKLEY. 

ELISHA  HOPKINS. 

Addressed:   Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  North  Branch  Rariton. 


FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

FISH  KILL,  24th  December,  1780. 
Dear  Sir: 

This  will  inform  you  of  our  arrival  here  this  day.  Have 
paid  Mr.  Gautier  for  the  canteens,  and  have  his  receipt  for 
the  money.  Have  found  great  difficulties  in  gitting  our 
baggage  forward.  Have  thought  best  to  leave  your  can 
teens  with  Col.  Scammell,2  with  orders  to  deliver  them  to 
Major  Willis.3  I  have  likewise  delivered  to  Major  Willis 
your  orders  concerning  them.  Please  to  present  my  best 
compliments  to  Mrs.  W[ebb]  and  the  other  Ladies  of  your 
good  family,  and  believe  me  to  be,  with  every  sentiment 
of  the  respect  and  esteem,  your  Affectionate 

EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Samll.  B.  Webb,  he  is  lately  been  exchanged, 
North  Branch  Rariton,  New  Jersey. 

1  Azunah  Hackley  was  a  private  and  filer  in  Webb's  regiment. 

2  Alexander  Scammell,  of  New  Hampshire,  now  Adjutant  General 
of  the  Continental  army. 

3  John  Palsgrave  Wyllys,  major  in  Webb's  regiment. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        149 

FROM  ELISHA  HOPKINS. 

HARTFORD,  January  24th,  1781. 
Dear  Colonel: 

In  sixteen  days  after  my  arival  at  this  place  I  received 
Orders  from  Maj  Wyllys  to  join  at  or  before  the  first  day 
of  February.  You,  my  dear  Colonel,  are  not  ignorant  of 
the  unhappy  surcumstance  of  my  parent  and  the  situation 
in  which  my  affairs  were  thrown  by  the  consequencies. 
Now  I  leave  you,  My  Dear  Col.,  to  judge  whether  it's  in 
my  power  to  join  by  the  first  of  February,  or  even  the  first 
of  March,  setting  aside  my  procuring  necessarys  for  the 
campaign,  and  your  expectations  of  my  not  joining  untill 
sometime  in  the  spring.  I  have  wrote  Maj.  Wyllys  very 
particular,  and  am  convinced  he  will  see  the  impossibility 
of  my  joining  by  the  time  ordered.  No  young  man  wishes 
to  serve  in  the  army  more  than  myself,  but  if  I  must  join 
immediately  my  only  alternative  is  this:  Resign  or  be 
ruined.  The  former  is  Death,  the  latter  distruction. 
Adieu,  My  Dear  Colonel,  and  believe  me  to  be  your  most 
Obedient  most  Humble  servant, 

E.  HOPKINS. 

P.  S.  Lockwood  has  gave  me  from  under  his  hand  that 
whatever  was  said  respecting  his  calling  me  a  Coward  was 
false. 

Addressed  to  Webb,  "Connecticut  Line,  honored  by  Major  Bull."1 


1  Epaphras  Bull,  Major  of  the  1st  Continental  Dragoons,  com 
manded  by  Col.  Stephen  Moylan.  He  died  in  1781,  in  Virginia,  just 
previous  to  the  investment  of  Yorktown. 


I5O  FAMILYLETTERS 

FROM  SAMUEL  H.  PARSONS. 
Sir: 

You  will  please  to  send  such  Non  Com[missioned]  Officers 
in  pursuit  of  your  Deserters  as  you  find  necessary  and  think 
prudent.  Your  humble  servant, 

S.  H.  PARSONS. 
[HIGHLANDS],  I9th  February,  81. 


FROM  ASHBEL  RILEY. 

WETHERSFIELD,  February  26th,  1781. 
Dear  Sir: 

By  your  man  Richard  I  imbrace  the  opportunity  to  con 
gratulate  you  on  being  exchanged  —  from  the  Enemy  - 
but  find  you  are  not  willing  to  be  free,  but  have  made  your 
self  a  prisoner  in  a  much  happier  prison  than  any  in  New 
York.  Sir,  I  am  in  my  turn  a  prisoner  to  Capt.  Samuell 
Thompson,  who  commands  the  America,  a  British  64- 
Gunship.  A  very  worthy  gentleman  commands  her.  He 
used  me  with  all  the  compl[a]isance  possable  for  a  prisoner. 
I  am  now  on  parole,  and  when  I  shall  be  sent  for  God  only 
knows,  but  hope  not  soon.  Sir,  I  got  home  to  Wethersfield 
the  1 8th  of  December,  and  the  22nd  Mrs.  Riley  was  de 
livered  of  a  fine  Daughter,  and  I  hope  soon  to  hear  of  your 
being  in  the  same  way.  In  haste,  Sir,  with  Mrs.  Riley's 
and  my  best  compliments  to  Col.  Webb  and  his  lady,  I 
remain  yours, 

ASHBEL  RILEY. 

Addressed  to  Webb  "att  Camp,  per  favor  of  R.  Bacon." 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        151 

FROM  MOSES  HAZEN.1 

FISHKILL,  March  2d,  1781. 
Dear  Sir: 

Inclosed  you  have  a  letter  which  I  was  desired  to  for 
ward.  I  beg  to  know  if  Genl.  Parsons  is  returned;  if  not, 
when  he  is  expected.  I  find  it  will  not  be  in  my  power  to 
set  out  for  Philadelphia  as  soon  as  I  proposed.  I  am, 
Dear  Sir,  Yours  most  sincerely, 

MOSES  HAZEN. 


FROM  JOHN  COCHRAN. 

NEW  WINDSOR,  March  4th,  1781. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  was  favored  with  yours  of  the  28th  ultimo  this  day; 
also  another  of  a  former  date,  which  I  did  not  answer  be 
cause  of  no  opportunity.  The  machine  I  ordered  to  be 
sent  me  with  all  possible  dis'patch,  and  I  hope  to  receive  it 
soon. 

I  have  not  wrote  to  the  Governor  because  I  have  ex 
pected  to  set  out  for  that  place  for  the  10  days  last  past, 
and  shall  get  under  way  for  it  tomorrow  morning,  and  you 
may  depend  every  power  of  mine  shall  be  exerted  to  obtain 
the  desire  of  Mrs.  Bancker. 

I  am  sorry  for  her  situation,  and  shall  omit  no  opportun 
ity  of  rendering  her  my  best  services.2  Take  care  of  your- 

1  One  of  the  officers  of  the  British  army  who  joined  the  patriotic 
side. 

2  Dr.  Cochran  attended  Mrs.  Webb  until  it  became   necessary  to 
remove  her  to  Connecticut.     He  was  Director  General  of  Military 
Hospitals,  and  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.    Settled  for  a  time  in  Albany, 
he  married  Gertrude,  a  sister  of  General  Schuyler. 


152  FAMILY     LETTERS 

self  and  give  my  love  to  Mrs.  Webb,  my  favorite,  Mrs. 
Bancker  and  family,  and  believe  me,  Dear  Sir,  Yours  most 
sincerely, 

JOHN  COCHRAN. 

Addressed  to  Webb  "North  Branch  to  be  left  at  Mr.  Van  Veghten, 
Rariton." 


FROM  PETER  ROBERTSON. 

PRESTON,  March  i/th,  1781. 
Dear  Col: 

I  have  seen  Thos.  Hallet,1  soldier,  that  you  sent  home 
in  search  of  one  Fanning,2  which  duty  he  has  performed 
with  great  spirit  and  allacrity,  and  as  Hallet  is  going  on 
with  a  number  of  Recruits  shall  send  Fanning  on  under  his 
care. 

Sir,  I  have  never  had  any  sergeant,  drum  or  fifer;  should 
be  glad  if  the  Col.  would  send  me  a  smart  active  Sergeant, 
also  a  drumer  and  fifer,  as  they  would  be  of  great  ser 
vice  to  me  in  collecting  the  Recruits,  also  in  taking  out 
Deserters. 

Should  be  very  glad  to  receive  the  direction,  if  [you]  has 
any  to  send,  concerning  the  Recruiting  Business. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  Humble  servant, 

PETER  ROBERTSON,  Lieut. 


1  Of  Preston,  transferred  to  Webb's  regiment  in  May,  1780,  and 
enlisted  "for  the  war." 

2  Two  of  the  name  were  in  Webb's  regiment.     David  Fanning  of 
Groton,    in    Sherburne's    regiment,    was    discharged    early    in    1780. 
The  second  was  Elisha  Fanning,  also  of  Groton,  and  also  in  Sherburne's 
regiment,  but  was  transferred  to  Webb's  and  served  until  February, 
1781,  when  he  received  his  discharge.    The  latter  is  doubtless  intended. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        153 

N.  B.  Hallet  has  been  petitioning  me  for  to  write  you 
in  his  behalf  for  you  to  let  him  return  home  under  the 
sanction  of  his  being  my  waiter.  If  this  can  be  done 
without  injuring  the  service  should  be  glad. 

P.  R.  Li. 


FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL. 

BOSTON,  I Qth  March,  1781. 
Dear  Brother: 

Your  Corporal's  return  from  his  Furlough  gives  me  op 
portunity  to  answer  your  favors  received  by  him  and  Col. 
Greaton.1  By  the  latter  I  find  you  was  in  good  spirits, 
tho'  illy  provided  with  necessaries.  If  you  was  reduced 
to  the  situation  you  mention  upon  other  occasions,  viz. 
kneeling,  it  might  be  better  for  your  soul,  and  I'm  positive 
if  you  could  exchange  your  Hot  N.  Eng.  for  Satisfaction 
Wine  it  would  be  abundantly  so  for  your  body.  Try  the 
former  yourself  and  when  you  put  it  in  my  power  I  will 
the  latter  as  far  as  a  bottle  will  go;  for  there  is  one  lain  by 
the  back  of  the  shelf  for  the  reception  of  your  better  self. 
Methinks  I  see  Hetty  £  licking  her  chops ^  for  the  Jade  loves 
Satisfaction.  But  by  this  time  I  conclude  you  are  better 
pleased  than  to  be  here,  even  if  many  bottles  of  the  same 
liquor  was  at  command.  One  single  draught  of  that  self 
same  something  which  I  call  the  hight  of  friendship  with 
the  object  dearly  beloved  and  justly  esteemed,  is  as  far 
superior  to  all  the  pleasures  of  Sense,  as  Heaven  with  its 
blessings  is  to  Earth  with  its  two  thousand  anxieties.  And 
you  informed  me  in  your  last  that  you  are  going  to  the 

1  John  Greaton,  colonel  of  the  3d  Massachusetts  Regiment,  Conti 
nental  line. 


154  FAMILY    LETTER^ 

Jersies  where,  if  Fame  says  true,  you  have  ample  room  for 
those  enjoyments  which  is  the  alone  [only]  sweetner  of 
life.  Give  my  love  to  the  dear  Object,  and  tell  her  I  hope 
by  and  by  to  have  the  pleasure  of  being  admitted  in  the 
friendly  way  to  kiss  her  once  at  least.  I  observe  your 
proposal  with  respect  to  supplying  you  officers.  I  wish 
it  was  in  my  power  to  do  it,  but  for  myself  I  am  entirely 
out  of  goods,  having  sent  all  mine  to  Merrils  at  Hartford. 
Nor  are  any  of  the  gentlemen  you  mention  (nor  some  others 
that  Fve  applyd  to)  better  prepared,  so  that  I  think  no 
dependance  can  be  had  this  way.  Your  soldiers'  notes  no 
doubt  are  good,  unless  the  Devil  gets  in  the  government, 
and  then  they  can  reduce  them  as  they  please;  not  right 
eously  but  in  an  arbitrary  way,  in  which  many  things  are 
now  done  that  will  by  and  by  make  the  actors  blush,  at 
least,  that  is,  if  they  are  not  past  it.  Martha  is  Martha 
still,  and  having  said  this,  tis  appology  sufficient  for  her 
not  writing  our  new  Sister.  She  threatens  it  day  by  day, 
but  I've  known  people  older  than  she  that  have  resolved 
and  re-resolved  but  died  the  same.  Our  love  to  Kitty. 
We  expect  her  in  the  spring,  but  how  she  is  to  get  here  we 
know  not;  but  let  women  alone  for  inventions.  I  had  as 
many  seeds  and  roots  as  cost  me  16  Guineas  at  Statia, 
sent  there  from  Amsterdam  to  be  forwarded;  but  the 
Tarnel  Britons  have  got  them.  I  wish,  therefore,  if  you 
have  any  seeds  of  any  sort,  /  mean  garden,  that  you  would 
send  me  some  of  each  for  use  and  ornament;  but  if  you 
have  none,  I  beg  you  will  not  send  me  any. 

I  hope  in  God  the  present  Campaign  will  end  the  war 
and  that  you  return  unhurt  (or  at  least  only  wounded  in  a 
finger  or  so)  with  Laurels  as  many  as  you  can  stagger  under; 
and  may  your  Betsy  and  40  Brats  long  enjoy  in  peace  the 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        155 

well  earned  honors  of  warfare  is  the  wish  of,  Dear  Sam, 
Your  friend  and  Brother, 

J.  BARRELL. 


FROM  JOHN  HARTE. 

HARTFORD,  March  28th,  1781. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  would  be  glad  to  be  informed  whether  you  expect  to  be 
at  home  any  time  this  spring  or  in  the  first  of  the  summer. 
If  so,  should  wish  to  see  you  to  settle  our  accounts,  as  I 
am  very  desirous  to  do  it  as  soon  as  possible.  If  you 
should  not  be  at  home  in  Connecticut,  I  must  make  a 
journey  down  to  the  Regiment  where  'tis  likely  you  may 
be  found  in  May  or  June.  If  you  should  be  at  home  I 
wish  you  to  bring  with  you  the  papers  relating  to  our 
affairs;  but  if  not,  to  desire  your  Brother  Joseph  Webb  to 
furnish  me  with  them  if  at  Wethersfield,  in  case  they  may 
be  wanted.  It  is  impossible  to  take  out  the  balance  of  the 
account  without  transferring  the  account  of  money  charged 
to  me  by  mistake. 

Please  to  make  my  compliments  to  the  gentlemen  of  the 
Regiment,  and  believe  me  with  great  esteem  your  friend 
and  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  HARTE. 

N.  B.  Mr.  Burr  has  the  Receipts  on  the  back  of  the 
old  Inlistments  in  his  keeping.1 


1  On  the  outside:    "To  be  left  at  Mr.  Vanvacters,  Rariton  Bridge, 
New  Jersey."    It  is  endorsed  as  answered  May  27,  1781. 


156  FAMILY     LETTERS 

FROM  MANNING  MERRILL. 

n.  WETHERSFIELD.  March  28th,  1781. 

Dear  Sir: 

The  inclosed  letter  for  your  good  sister  I  had  the  honor 
to  receive  from  Mrs.  Barrell,  in  Boston,  ten  days  past, 
who  I  left  in  great  spirits.  She  wishes  sincerely  to  have 
your  sister  Hetty  come  and  spend  the  summer  in  .Boston 
for  several  very  urgent  reasons.  Mr.  Barrell  would  be 
made  exceedingly  happy  by  your  company,  as  he  very 
rarely  introduces  a  bottle  of  Old  Satisfaction  without  men 
tioning  your  name.  I  intended  to  have  had  the  pleasure 
of  delivering  the  inclosed,  personally,  but  business  will 
prevent  at  this  time. 

I  have  just  made  a  purchase  of  a  very  excellent  cask  of 
Madeira  Wine,  and  thank  God  I  have  a  few  Hds.  of  very 
old  spirits,  which  if  you  can  propose  a  method  of  safe 
conveyance  now,  or  a  few  weeks  hence,  I  shall  be  able  to 
supply  you.  And  as  I  am  now  in  your  debt  to  a  small 
amount,  be  kind  enough  to  command  me.  Though  un 
known  to  your  Lady,  please  to  assure  her  I  have  set  her 
down  as  one  of  the  finest  women  in  the  Universe,  as  I  am 
well  assured  the  person  She  has  is  deserving  of  such  a 
caracter.  My  best  compliments  to  your  sister.  Inform  her 
that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barrell  sincerely  wish  her  company  the 
coming  season. 

Your  Br[other]  Jack  is  playing  the  dirty  game  of  all 
fours  in  company  with  S.  Chester,  and  they  are  very  talka 
tive.  Jack  swears  and  Chester  cusses.  I  bid  you  adieu 
with  sincerity.  I  am  your  friend,  M.  MERRILL. 

Addressed:  To  Colo.  Saml  B.  Webb,  North  Branch  Rariton,  New 
Jersey.  Per  favor  of  Capt.  Bulkly.  To  be  left  at  Mr.  Vanvacters, 
Rariton  bridge. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        157 

FROM  ISRAEL  STRONG.1 

EAST  WINDSOR,  April  29th,  1781. 
Dear  Sir: 

This  is  the  third  time  that  I  have  Wrot  to  you  to  aquant 
you  with  the  resones  of  my  not  joining  the  Regiment. 
But  was  informed  by  Maj.  Wyllys  last  week  that  my  letters 
never  arrived  at  the  Regment,  for  which  reson  I  writ 
once  more  to  aquant  you  that  it  is  not  in  my  power  to 
join  aney  mor,  for  which  resons  I  would  be  much  oblige 
to  your  honnor  to  seliset  me  a  discharge.  I  could  wish  to 
come  myself  but  I  have  not  money  a  nuf  in  the  world 
to  bare  my  expences  to  the  Regt.,  nether  is  it  in  my  power 
to  get  it.  Sir,  your  compliance  with  this  request  will 
gratley  oblige  your  most  obdt  humble  servt., 

ISRAEL  STRONG. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Sam'll  B.  Webb,  3rd  Connecticut  Regt,  or  the 
officer  comd. 


FROM  RALPH  PoMEROY.2 

HARTFORD,  23d  May,  1781. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  taken  unwearied  pains  to  procure  waggon  horses 
in  vain.     Gov.  Trumbull  wishes  to  have  it  done.     I  can- 


1  He  was  a  sergeant  in  the  2d  Regiment  Connecticut  Line,  com 
manded  by  Col.  Charles  Webb,  and  in  July,  1780,  received  a  lieuten 
ant's  commission.    Paid,  probably,  in  soldiers'  notes,  he  experienced  the 
common  difficulty  of  obtaining  more  than  a  part  of  the  face  value. 

2  In  1777  he  was  paymaster  of  the  3d  Regiment,  Connecticut  line, 
and  was  retired  by  consolidations  in  1781,  having  a  lieutenant's  com 
mission.     He    then  entered  the  Quartermaster's  Department  of  the 
Connecticut  State  troops. 


158  FAMILY     LETTERS 

not  do  it  without  making  use  of  force  or  bargaining  for 
money,  either  of  which  is  out  of  my  power. 

You  will  please  to  acknowledge  the  [receipt]  of  the 
waggon,  harness,  &c.  I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and 
humble  servant, 

RALPH  POMEROY, 
Dep.  Quar.  Master. 

Addressed:   Col.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  Weathersfield. 


FROM  SAMUEL  LOUDON. 

FISHKILL,  28th  May,  1781. 
Sir: 

The  Post  arrived  here  from  Morristown  last  night,  but 
had  no  letters  for  you.  I  will  inquire  at  the  Post  whether 
he  saw  letters  for  you  in  Morristown;  but  tis  probable 
that  letters  for  you  that  may  have  come  to  that  office  are 
sent  to  Rarritan.  I  am,  Sir,  Your  obdt  Servt., 

SAMUEL  LOUDON. 
Addressed:   Col.  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  Hutts. 


FROM  JOHN  KEESE. 

FISHKILL,  3Oth  May,  1781. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  received  your  favor  of  yesterday  by  Sergt.  Nicholson. 
I  have  done  all  I  could  on  the  occasion,  which  was  to 
write  a  very  urgent  request  to  the  justices  to  give  every 
assistance  writh  teams  and  forage  that  Richard  Bacon  * 

1  A  private  in  Webb's  regiment  and  captured  with  his  commander 
in  December,  1777.  He  came  from  Wethersfield. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        159 

should  apply  for.  I  have  requested  them  to  forward  it 
here  with  all  possible  dispatch,  and  promised  to  pay  for 
the  transportation  out  of  the  first  money  that  may  be 
received. 

Colonel  Hughes  l  is  gone  to  Albany.  I  cannot  there 
fore  give  a  positive  order  on  Major  Campbell 2  or  Keese, 
who  is  at  King's  Ferry,  for  a  cart  or  waggon  for  the  pur 
pose  you  mention.  I  am  very  certain  that  either  of  them 
will  furnish  on  your  application  if  in  their  power. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  much  respect  Your  very  obedient 
servant, 

JOHN  KEESE, 
D.  Q.  M. 

Addressed:    Colonel  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  Highlands. 


FROM  TEUNIS  BOGERT. 

CONT[INENTA]L  VILLAGE,  31  May,  1781. 
Sir: 

I  received  yours  of  this  date  this  moment  in  the  absence 
of  Major  Campbell  whom  I  hourly  expect.  We  have  one 
two-horse  wagon  at  this  port,  which  is  almost  constantly 
employed  in  hauling  provisions  for  troops  in  this  vicinity, 
which  I  almost  think  Major  Campbell  will  be  able  to 
spare  from  that  service  by  the  time  you  will  want  it.  It 
is  now  much  out  of  repair  having  broke  down  on  the  road 
with  provisions  between  this  and  New  Hampshire  Hutts, 
and  will  be  in  order  as  soon  as  the  carpenters  can  do  it, 
which  will  be  in  two  or  three  days.  If  you  will  be  so  kind 
and  send  your  lad  down  Saturday  forenoon,  Major  Camp- 

1  Hugh  Hughes,  of  New  York,  Assistant  Quartermaster  General. 

2  Donald  Campbell,  of  New  York,  Deputy  Quartermaster  General.      , 


l6o  FAMILY     LETTERS 

bell  will  then  give  a  positive  answer.     In  whose  behalf  I 
am  your  most  humble  servant, 

THEUNIS  BOGERT. 

Addressed:   Colonel  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  Connecticut  Hutts, 


FROM  JOHN  DuRKEE.1 

CAMP,  June  1st,  1781. 
Dear  Colo: 

As  it  belongs  to  your  Regiment  to  furnish  a  Capt.  (for 
command  with  Col.  Scammell),  Capt.  Parsons  has  re 
turned,  and  your  Regiment  must  relieve  him.  I  am,  Dear 
Col.,  Your  most  obedient  Humble  Servant, 

JOHN  DURKEE. 
Addressed:  Colo.  Webb.     Present. 


FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

CONNECTICUT  CAMP,  yth  June,  1781. 
Dear  Colonel: 

The  inclosed  is  a  letter  received  last  evening  by  Ser 
jeant  Evens,2  accompanied  with  two  more  from  Lieut. 
Strong,3  requesting  your  Honor,  (as  he  stiles  you)  to  send 
on  his  discharge  as  his  situation  is  such  he  cannot  come 
after  it.  Am  sorry  for  the  loss  of  the  srub  [shrub].  Im 
mediately  on  hearing  the  loss  of  it  I  sent  of  half  a  bottle 
with  hopes  it  might  meet  you  at  the  Village,  but  was  too 
late. 


1  Colonel  of  the  4th  Regiment,  Connecticut  line. 

2  Abiathar   Evans,   of   Hartford,    and   in    Capt.  David   Parsons's 
company. 

3  Israel  Strong.     See  p.  157,  supra. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        l6l 

General  Parsons  arrived  at  his  Hutt  last  evening,  but 
as  yet  have  not  seen  him. 

Please  to  present  my  love  to  the  ladies  of  your  family, 
and  believe  to  be  with  every  sentiment  of  Esteem,  Dear 
Col.,  your  Most  obedient  servant, 

EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

N.  B.  I  send  on  a  bottle  of  srub  by  Chadwick.1 

Addressed:  Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  North  Branch  Rariton,  New 
Jersey.  Per  Chadwick. 


COURT  MARTIAL. 

At  a  Regimental  Court  Martial,  held  in  Camp  2  this 
27th  day  of  June,  1781,  by  Order  of  Colo  Webb. 

Capt.  [Otho  Holland]  WILLIAMS,  Presdt.;  Capt.  [Tim 
othy]  ALLYN  Lieut.  [Daniel]  BRADLEY,  Members,  was 
try'd  Sergt.  Hezekiah  Betts  of  the  8th  Company,  Con- 
fin'd  for  Neglect  of  Duty. 

To  the  above  Charge  the  Prisoner  pleads  not  Guilty. 

Lieut.  [John]  Meig's  3  being  sworn,  informs  the  Court 
that  the  Prisoner  has  for  some  time  past  done  the  Duty 
of  Orderly  Sergt.  to  the  8th  Company;  that  he  has  fre 
quently  bro't  his  men  for  Duty  into  the  Parade,  with  dirty 
Arms,  deficient  in  Cartridges,  and  Slovenly  in  their  dress, 
contrary  to  the  directions  he  (the  Witness)  has  frequently 
given  him. 

Capt.  Allyn,  a  member  of  the  Court  informs,  that  the 

1  Two  of  the  name,  William  and  James,  were  in  Webb's  regiment, 
but  neither  was  attached  to  Bulkley's  company. 

2  Peekskill. 

3  Adjutant  of  the  regiment. 


l62  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Prisoner  has  generally  been  negligent  in  his  duty,  that 
he  has  frequently  directed  him  to  report  those  men  in 
the  Company  who  were  negligent  in  attention  to  their 
Arms  dress,  &c.,  when  going  on  Duty,  that  the  Prisoner 
never  did  report  any,  altho'  the  adjt.  has  frequently  found 
fault  with  the  appearance  of  the  men. 

The  Prisoner  in  his  Defence  says  that  he  has  ever  been 
as  attentive  to  his  Duty  as  any  Sergt.  in  the  Regt.,  but 
that  the  Situation  of  the  Company  has  been  such  as 
rendered  it  impossible  for  them  to  make  a  decent  appear 
ance.  At  the  request  of  the  Prisoner  Lt.  [Isaac]  Keeler, 
being  Sworn,  informs  the  Court,  that  the  Prisoner  did 
the  Duty  of  Orderly  Sergt.  in  the  2d  Regt.  in  the  Company 
in  which  the  Witness  was  for  two  or  three  months,  and 
that  he  never  observ'd  any  neglect  or  inattention  in  the 
Prisoner,  but  ever  found  him  a  good  and  faithful  Sergt. 

The  Court  having  Considered  the  Evidence  and  the 
Defence  of  the  Prisoner  are  of  Opinion,  that  the  Prisoner 
is  Guilty  and  do  Sentence  him  to  be  Reduced  to  the 
Ranks. 

O.  H.  WILLIAMS.  Presdt. 


FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH. 

HARTFORD,  July  3,  1781. 
Dear  Webb: 

I  inclose  a  memorial  in  your  name  for  Mrs.  Bancker 
to  go  into  New  York  inclosed  in  the  permission.1  You 
will  put  in  her  Christian  name,  and  send  it  to  me,  that  it 


1  Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals,  II,  347. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        163 

may  be  entered  in  the  records  of  Connecticut  (?).     I  am, 
Dear  Webb,  Yours  sincerely, 

J.  WADS  WORTH. 

Addressed:    Col.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Con'l  Army,  Phillipsburg. 


COURT  MARTIAL. 

The  Regimental  Court  Martial  appointed  by  an  order 
of  the  nth  Inst.,  of  which  Capt.  [Samuel  William]  Wil 
liams  is  President,  met  agreeable  to  adjournment  this 
1 3th  day  of  July,  and  proceeded  to  the  Tryal  of  Michael 
Minthorn,  soldier  in  the  4th  Company,1  confined  for  alter 
ing  a  pass  and  attempting  to  desert.  The  prisoner  pleads 
guilty  of  altering  the  pass,  but  not  of  attempting  to  desert, 
and  says  that  one  Kelogg,  an  acquaintance  of  his,  advised 
him  to  alter  the  pass  and  go  home;  in  consequence  of  which 
he  did  it,  but  soon  altered  his  mind,  and  was  determined 
to  return  immediately  to  the  Regiment  when  he  was 
taken  up. 

After  due  consideration  the  Court  are  of  opinion  that 
the  Prisoner  is  guilty  of  the  charges  alledged  against  him, 
and  do  sentence  him  to  receive  50  lashes  upon  his  naked 
back. 

S.  W.  WILLIAMS,  Capt.  and  Presdt. 

[PHILLIPSBURGH.] 


Capt.  Joseph  Walker,  of  Stratford. 


164  FAMILY   LETTERS 

COURT  MARTIAL. 
CAMP  NEAR  DOBBS'S  FERRY,  7th  August,  1781. 

Agreeable  to  Regimental  Orders  a  Court  sat  this  day 
for  the  Tryal  of  such  Prisoners  as  shall  be  brought  before 
them. 

Capt.  [Elisha]  Hopkins  President 

Lieut  [Isaac]  Keeler,  Ensn.  [Aaron]  St.  John,  Members. 

The  Court  proceeded  to  the  tryal  of  William  Hughes  of 
the  3d  Company,1  charged  with  fighting  and  making  a 
disturbance  in  Camp  at  unseasonable  hours.  The  Pris 
oner  pleads  not  guilty.  The  evidences,  Corporal  [Thomas] 
Stone 2  and  John  Roberts,3  being  sworn  say  that  the  Pris 
oner  was  laying  on  the  ground  as  they  imagined  asleep, 
and  that  they  saw  Jesse  Mathews  4  of  the  5th  Regiment 
go  towards  him  with  an  effigy,  and  that  some  one  of  the 
Company  ordered  the  effigy  to  pay  obedience  to  the 
Prisoner,  and  that  Matthews  in  turning  round  with  the 
effigy  struck  him  across  the  face,  upon  which  he  imme 
diately  arose  and  struck  Matthews  twice. 

Jacob  Gillet  a  soldier  in  the  8th  Company  being  charged 
with  sleeping  on  his  post,  the  Prisoner  pleads  guilty.  But 
in  his  own  vindication  says  that  the  night  preceeding  he 
was  deprived  of  his  sleep  by  a  sore  on  his  foot,  and  the 
night  preceeding  that  he  was  on  Picquet. 

The  Court  are  of  the  oppinion  that  Hughs  is  guilty  of 
disturbance  in  Quarters,  and  do  sentence  him  to  be  under 


1  Capt.  Stephen  Betts,  of  Norwalk. 

2  Of  Hopkins'  own  company. 

3  Of   Capt.    Samuel  Comstock's   company,  in   the  5th  Regiment, 
Lieut.  Col.  Isaac  Sherman. 

4  Of  Capt.  Nehemiah  Rice's  company,  5th  Regiment. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        165 

the  drill  eight  hours  in  twenty-four  for  three  days  when 
of  duty.  And  that  Gillet  receive  fifty  lashes  on  his 
naked  back.  E.  HOPKINS,  President. 


FROM  DAVID  PARSONS.  1 
o'  WESTPOINT,  I2th  Aug.,  1781. 

I  am  relieved  at  Fishkill,  and  [am]  now  at  the  Point. 
Am  at  present  much  out  of  health.  Lieut.  Parsons  2  in 
formed  me  he  sent  twenty-six  hard  dollars  by  one  Ebenezer 
Burbank  3  for  me.  I  have  some  time  since  given  direc 
tion  that  the  money  should  be  left  with  you.  If  you 
should  have  it,  or  know  of  any  that  hath  it,  would  oblidge 
me  to  have  it  sent  by  Sergt.  Spencer.4  With  a  trembling 
hand  I  subscribe  myself  Your  humble  servant, 

D.  PARSONS. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Sam'll  B.  Webb. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  August  i8th,  1781. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  have  just  got  my  Carpenters  to  work  on  my  Frame, 
and  you  will  readily  allow  I  am  busy  enough.  Indeed  I 
know  not  which  way  to  turn,  and  I  wish  to  get  through 

1  Of  Enfield,  a  captain  in  Webb's  regiment.     He  died  November 
15,  1781. 

2  Jabez  Parsons,  in  the  same  regiment  until  he  resigned,  May  4, 
1781.    He  was  in  David  Parsons'  company. 

3  Burbank  had  served  under  Capt.  Simeon  Sheldon  at  Guilford  and 
New  Haven  in  July,  1779. 

4  Thomas  Spencer,  in  Capt.  Nehemiah  Rice's  company,  5th  Regi 
ment,  Connecticut  line,  Lieut.  Col.  Isaac  Sherman. 


l66  FAMILY     LETTERS 

with  my  multiplicity  of  business.  I  trust  the  Barn  once 
finished  will  be  of  much  consequence  to  me,  and  I  shall  then 
have  done  with  building,  which  at  best  is  very  trouble 
some.  Your  sister  W[ebb]  is  far  from  being  well.  She  de 
sires  to  be  remembered.  She  and  indeed  all  of  us  are 
quite  anxious  to  hear  of  the  recovery  of  poor  Betsy,  and 
we  much  wish  for  our  sake  and  Sally's  more  particular  that 
Hetty  was  here.  Indeed  in  ten  days  Sally  will  be  with  us. 
Barrel  owns  J^th  of  the  valuable  Prize  brought  into  New 
London  by  Dudley  Saltonstall.1  Cant  you  or  Friend 
Jerry  2  contrive  to  get  Hetty  to  camp.  I'll  come  or  send 
for  her. 

Richard  uses  me  ill  about  the  sadle,  bridle,  straps, 
halters,  etc.  etc.  he  took  from  here.  I  have  wrote  you 
several  times,  but  cant  hear  a  word.  I  enclose  you  the 
last  New  London  papers,  which  keep  safe  with  your  bag 
gage  to  return,  as  it  breaks  my  sett.  I  am,  Dear  brother, 
yours,  [No  signature.] 

Addressed:  Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  American  Camp.  Per  Capt. 
Watson. 


FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON. 

22  Aug.,  1781. 

Dear  Sir: 

I  have  directed  Hallet  to  the  Regiment  for  several 
articles.  Among  the  other  people  to  call  on  have  directed 
him  to  call  on  you,  and  exchange  three  spoons  which  he 


1  In  command  of  the  Minerva,  a  Connecticut  brigantine,  carrying 
sixteen  guns,  and  a  crew  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  men.  Thomas 
Mumford  and  John  Chevenard  were  interested  with  him. 

2  Wadsworth. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        167 

got  some  time  since,  and  to  get  a  pair  of  your  Horn  Tum 
blers,  which  I  supposed  you  would  lend  me. 

The  Fifer  you  promised  to  me  has  not  yet  arrived. 
Must  beg  you  will  send  him  this  day,  as  Col.  Scammell 
has  directed  me  to  call  on  you  for  that  purpose. 

As  yet  not  a  single  word  has  transpired  by  which  we 
may  conjecture  where  we  are  going;  but  should  we  march 
by  the  N[orth]  Branch,  may  I  presume  to  say  you  send 
your  Love.  Adieu.  EBEN.  HUNTINGTON. 

I  wish  you  to  send  me  two  of  my  best  camp  chairs,  or 
two  of  your  short  ones. 

Addressed:  Colonel  Webb. 


FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

CAMP  AT  PEEKSKILL,  28th  August,  1781. 
Dear  Colo: 

The  inclosed  I  received  last  evening  by  Kellogg,1  and 
agreeable  to  your  directions  have  this  morning  sent  off 
[James]  Chadwick,  by  whom  I  have  sent  Briton,  both  of 
which  hope  will  get  safe  to  hand.  Six  recruits  have  joined 
since  your  departure  from  this.  Belding  2  through  a  mis 
take  carried  off  Mr.  [John]  Megg's  surcingle,  which  you 
will  please  to  send  back  by  Chadwick.  Nothing  of  con 
sequence  has  happened  since  you  left  this,  except  the 
arrival  of  a  beautiful  new  painted  waggon,  drawn  by  four 
Elligant  Dapple  Grays,  and  escorted  by  a  Sub.  and  27  of 
Jonas  chosen  Band.  (Real  Dandy  is  now  plenty.) 

I   hope  you  may  find  Mrs.  Webb   perfectly  from  her 

1  Stephen  Kellogg,  of  Elisha  Hopkins'  company. 

2  Abraham  Belding,  of  Captain  Bulkley's  company. 


l68  FAMILY     LETTERS 

late  Illness.  My  best  wishes  attend  you  and  the  Ladies 
of  your  Cottage,  to  whom  I  beg  you  to  present  my  most 
respectful  compliments. 

I  am,  dear  Col.,  with  sentiments  of  regard  and  esteem 
your  most  Obedient  Servant,  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  North  Branch  Rariton,  New 
Jersey.    By  Chadwick,  Soldier  3d  Connt.  Regt. 


FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

CAMP,  PEEKSKILL  HEIGHTS,  24th  September,  1781. 

The  inclosed  letters  I  received  three  days  since,  and 
should  have  been  happy  in  forwarding  them  sooner  had 
it  been  in  my  power.  General  Huntington  informed  me 
this  day  that  you  had  obtained  indulgence  to  transport 
your  family  by  way  of  New  York  to  Connecticut.  I  con 
gratulate  you  on  this  happy  event.  I  could  wish  myself 
with  you  to  assist  your  amiable  family  through  such  a 
Tower,  (but  this  cannot  be). 

I  am  informed  by  Mr.  Dikinson  that  he  left  your  friends 
at  Wethersfield  well  four  days  since.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Barrell  was  anxiously  waiting  the  arrival  of  your  family 
at  that  place.  The  West  Point  detachment  joined  two 
days  since.  We  are  anxiously  waiting  a  confirmation  of 
the  intelligence  received  yesterday  from  New  York.  The 
British  Fleet  are  well  drubbed. 

Williams,  Riley,  Meigs,  and  Dr.  Rose,  have  obtained 
leave  of  absence  and  are  gone  home;  Capt.  [Timothy] 
Allen  and  [Timothy]  Taylor  on  command.  Judge  our 
situation.  Altho  I  wish  you  hear,  yet  cannot  expect  you 
to  come  in  your  present  distressed  circumstances.  We 
do  everything  in  our  power. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        169 

Please  to  present  my  respectfull  compliments  to  your 
lady  and  family.  You  will  please  to  inform  me  by  the 
first  opportunity  if  you  proceed  to  Connecticut  by  water. 
I  am,  Dear  Col,  your  Most  obedient  servant, 

E.  B. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  North  Rariton  Branch,  New 
Jersey.  To  the  care  of  Mr.  Vanvacters,  Rariton  Bridge. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

[WETHERSFIELD,  13  November,  1781.]  l 
My  Dear  Brother: 

We  are  happy  to  hear  you  are  so  far  on  your  way  here. 
Tell  Betsy,  Hetty  and  all,  we  shall  receive  you  all  with 
open  arms.  I  wou'd  come  down  to  the  Vessel  and  con 
trive  the  best  way  to  get  you  here,  but  unfortunately  I 
am  obliged  to  be  at  Hartford  this  morning.  I  think  a 
pretty  letter  wou'd  be  best  for  Betsy,  kind  friends  and 
Doer.  Jepson,2  Orion  Air,  &c.,  &c.,  I  hope  I  will  raise  her 
soon.  The  Carriage  shall  be  ready  and  a  litter;  both  the 
latter  I  think  most  of.  As  for  the  house  —  I  think  Barny  3 
will  do  the  best  He  can  to  accommodate  you.  He's  be 
haved  well.  I  wish  it  had  been  possible  for  you  to  have 
Come  up  yourself  instead  of  Richd.  Barny  is  not  agoing 
to  Hartford  untill  Spring,  but  yet  perhaps  you  may  all 
live  comfortably  together.  But  let  this  not  trouble  you. 
Possession  is  much.  Say  but  little  and  Barny  will  do  well 


1  Endorsed  as  "received  on  board  sloop  at  Middle[town]." 

2  Dr.  William  Jepson,  of  Hartford,  who  was  associated  with  Dr. 
Sylvester  Gardiner  of  Boston  in  the  sale  of  drugs. 

3  Barnabas  Deane,  whose  house  Webb  wished  to  occupy. 


I7O  FAMILY     LETTERS 

I  trust.  I  have  sent  you  23  dollars.  Its  the  best  I  cou'd 
do.  Give  my  love  to  all  the  Circle,  and  believe  me 
Sincerely,  Your  Aff.  Friend  and  Brother, 

Jos.  WEBB. 

If  the  Wind  holds  N.  W.,  by  all  means  I  advise  the 
litter. 


FROM  WILLIAM  CONSTABLE. 

PHILADELPHIA,  i^th  November,  1781. 
Dear  Sam: 

I  wrote  you  the  4th  in  answer  to  yours  of  the  2d  instant, 
since  which  several  arrivals  from  the  Havana  by  whom  I 
have  J.  S[eagrove]'s  letters  of  the  loth,  I2th  and  isth 
ultimo.  In  these  he  marks  us  flour  best  comn.,  22  @  24 
Dls.,  rising;  Beef  and  Pork,  40  Dlrs;  Bees  Wax,  I  Dlr., 
and  naval  stores  in  great  demand.  He  advises  that  freights 
can  be  procured  for  good  vessels  from  that  port  to  Cadiz  or 
Amsterdam  at  18  Dlrs  per  box  for  sugars.  Hogs  lard 
would  also  answer  well  at  their  Mkt.  I  sincerely  hope 
Mrs.  Webb  will  receive  benefit  by  her  trip  by  sea.  Re 
member  me  to  your  Brother.  I  am  yours, 

WTM.  CONSTABLE. 

Price  current 

Rum 9/ 

Sugars  Havana 8  @  lod 

Muscad 657  @  75/ 

Barr  Iron      33  £ 

B:Tea 6/ 

Russia  Duck 8  £ 

Coffee 1/4 

Salt 17/6 

Bills  on  France 5/6  @  yd  p  5  [livres] 

Dry  Goods 2/6  @,  3/  p  livres 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEY   WEBB 

FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

PEEKSKILL,  I4th  November,  1781. 
Dear  Colonel: 

I  hope  this  may  find  you  and  Family  safe  arrived  at 
Wethersfield,  and  in  much  better  health  than  when  I  last 
heard  from  you.  Capt.  Riley  will  do  me  the  honor  to 
deliver  this,  and  will  be  able  to  inform  you  any  particulars 
respecting  your  Regiment  Have  long  wished  for  you  to 
join  (for  many  reasons)  but  in  a  particular  manner  at  this 
time,  as  cloaths  are  expected  to  be  delivered  in  a  short 
time  to  cloth  the  army  and  are  to  be  made  up  under  the 
particular  directions  of  Commanding  Officers  of  Regi 
ments.  If  you  cannot  be  present  I  wish  you  to  communi 
cate  your  wish  and  directions  concerning  them.  Your 
waggon  and  baggage  have  sent  up  to  the  Connecticut 
Hutts,  and  is  under  the  care  of  Capt.  Williams,  who  is 
superintending  the  party  that  are  repairing  them.  We  are 
impatiently  waiting  to  git  into  W[inter]  Quarters,  and  as 
soon  as  that  is  accomplished  shall  endeavor  to  git  indul 
gence  to  return  home,  which  hope  you  will  not  object  to. 
Your  bay  mare  is  just  come  in,  and  not  in  very  good  order 
either.  Your  directions  may  be  necessary  concerning 
her;  but  should  I  not  receive  them  before  I  set  out  for 
W[ethersfiel]d  shall  ride  her,  as  I  have  sold  myne.  Proper 
care  shall  be  taken  of  her.  Capt.  P.1  is  to  retire  as  those 
officers  did  in  '80,  and  will  Quit  in  a  short  time. 

You  will  please  to  present  my  most  respectfull  compli 
ments  to  your  Lady  and  Family. 


David  Parsons  (?).     See  p.  165,  supra. 


172  FAMILY     LETTERS 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  sentiments  of  esteem,  Dear 
Col.,  your  affectionate  Friend, 

EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

Addressed:   Colonel  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield.    Hon'd  by  Capt. 
Riley. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

RIDGFIELD,  28th  November,  1781. 

My  Unfortunate  and  Worthy  Brother: 

I  am  at  a  loss  to  express  the  sorrow  I  feel  for  your  loss; 
a  greater  I  am  sure  you  can  never  experience.1  Then  my 
amiable  friend  is  gone  to  her  Blessed  Saviour.  I  think 
she  is  very  happy,  for  a  person  of  her  sweet  and  noble  dis 
position  cannot  fail  of  being  happy  in  the  other  state, 
tho'  your  loss,  my  Valuable  Br[other],  is  not,  nor  can  it  be, 
made  up.  I  feel  more  than  I  can  express  for  the  loss. 
May  the  Great  Ruler  of  the  Universe  through  the  merits 
of  our  Blessed  Saviour  pardon  my  Sweet  Sister  and  receive 
her  parted  Soul  into  his  Blessed  abode,  and  help  you  and 
her  dear  Mama  bear  up  under  the  severe  stroke;  also  our 
mutual  friend  Aunt  Polly.  Tell  them,  my  Friend,  that 
one  who  ever  esteemed  them  feels  more  for  them  than  he 
can  express,  and  leaves  it  to  their  generosity  to  judge  what 
that  must  be.  Little  did  I  think  when  I  left  you  that  that 
was  the  last  time  I  should  see  my  sweet  sister.  But  why 
should  I  add  to  your  distress.  You  will  judge,  my  Friend, 
what  was  my  feelings  when  I  was  informed  of  our  loss; 
nothing  in  life  could  have  hurt  me  more. 

I  do  not  feel,  my  Br[other],  in  a  mood  to  wright;  rather 

1  Mrs.  Webb  died  November  18,  1781. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        173 

to  go  and  shut  myself  up  in  a  closit,  and  there  to  shead 
tears  for  my  Dear  Friend,  That  I  have  done  in  showers. 
I  wish  for  an  opportunity  to  go  to  her  Tome  and  pay  my 
last  respects.  May  God  bless  you,  my  Friend,  Mrs. 
Bancker,  and  Aunt  Polly,  who  I  shall  ever  esteem  more  on 
the  account  of  our  loss.  My  Love  to  all,  I  am  yours 
affectionately, 

JOHN  WEBB. 


FROM  EDWARD  BULKLEY. 

CONNECTICUT  HUTTS,  ist  Dec.  1781. 

Yours  of  the  27th  of  November  was  handed  me  last 
evening  by  Belding.  It  confirms  the  Maloncholly  ac 
count  I  heard  some  few  days  past.  My  situation  has  been 
similar  to  yours,  O  my  greatly  afflicted  friend.  I  feel  for 
you  and  can  pity  you  in  your  distrest  situation  most 
sincerly;  but  alas,  my  friend,  sympathy  or  pity  from 
earthly  friends  will  not  effectualy  deviate  the  great  anxiety 
you  must  feel  on  this  mournful  ocasion.  Therefore  let  me 
recommend  you  to  our  Heavenly  Father,  who  is  abundantly 
able  and  witholdeth  not  from  a  contrite  heart.  His  grace 
is  sufficient  to  support  and  carry  you  through  the  severest 
tryals.  On  him  alone  then  let  us  depend  for  assistance, 
that  when  our  nearest  and  dearest  friends  are  taken  from 
us  we  may  have  a  friend  in  Heaven  from  whom  only  true 
satisfaction  can  be  found.  I  must  [end],  for  necessity 
bids  me  quit  this  subject  and  proceed  to  business.  Your 
letters  I  sent  of  early  this  morning  by  Sergt.  Booth.1  The 
other  lads  you  mention  are  not  equal  to  so  long  a  journey. 

1  Walter  Booth,  of  Capt.  Samuel  W.  Williams'  company. 


174  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Previous  to  our  move  to  Winter  Quarters  the  General 
ordered  all  public  horses  to  be  returned  into  the  Quarter 
Master  General.  Yours  was  among  the  number,  we  not 
having  one  straw  of  forage  to  keep  them  on.  Col.  [Isaac] 
Sherman  has  been  so  very  polite  as  to  let  me  have  his 
horses,  but  they  are  forty  miles  from  this.  Have  this 
day  sent  Sergt.  Bunce  1  after  them.  Hope  to  be  able  to 
git  the  waggon  under  way  by  Tuesday  next,  if  nothing 
extrodonary  happens.  Sergeant  Bunce  with  a  proper 
guard  will  attend  your  baggage  home.  Hazard  I  think 
may  answer  for  you  this  winter.  He  will  make  one  of  the 
guard.  Have  received  of  the  paymaster  eighteen  pounds 
twelve  shillings,  which  is  all  that  he  done  for  you  on  the 
month  of  February. 

[Abraham]  Belding  sets  off  for  Wethersfield  tomorrow 
morning.  By  him  I  send  you  thirty-five  dollars  and  eigh 
teen  crowns;  the  remaining  seven  dollars  shall  give  Ser 
geant  Bunce  for  expenses,  as  public  forage  is  not  to  be 
obtained.  Those  of  the  guard  I  wish  not  to  have  furloughs 
for  a  longer  term  than  20  days;  more  than  20  days  will 
violate  General  Orders.  I  must  postpone  saying  anything 
on  Regimental  matters  untill  a  more  leisure  moment,  or 
till  I  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  at  Wethersfield. 

Please  to  remember  me  affectionately  to  your  distrest 
and  mourning  friends  and  believe  me  to  be  with  great  re 
gard  and  esteem  your  affectionate  Friend  and  most  obedi 
ent  servant, 

[No  signature.] 

N.  B.   Chapen  has  had  only  one  pair  of  shoes. 
Addressed:    Col.  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield. 

1  Jared  Bunce,  of  the  same  company. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEY   WEBB  175 

FROM  JOHN  DUYCKINCK. 

T^         n.  NORTH  BRANCH.  December  4th,  1781. 

Dear  Sir: 

I  received  your  favour  of  the  27th  November  with  the 
Mallancoly  nuse  of  the  loss  of  your  and  our  worthey  friend, 
Eliza,  a  girl  who  I  esteemed  and  loved  as  one  of  my  own. 
O,  my  Dear  Sir,  the  loss  of  our  dear  friend  to  me,  Mrs. 
Duyckinck,  family,  and  little  ones,  is  scancearly  lamented. 
O,  it  gives  us  comfort  and  consolation  that  we  have  reason 
to  hope  and  believe  that  she  is  now  in  Heavin,  joining 
with  Blessed  Spirits  in  Hallalujahes  to  Our  God.  Your 
troubles,  your  difficulties,  anccuaries  [anxieties?]  of  mind 
for  our  dear  Betsey's  recovery,  has  been  greate.  But  My 
Dear  friend,  when  we  Consider  that  our  Dear  Eliza  is 
only  taken  home  to  her  Father's  House  from  the  Eivels  to 
come;  that  all  our  troubles  in  this  wourld  will  soon  have 
an  end;  that  our  Disopointments  and  Misfortunes  here 
serve  only  to  inform  us  that  here  we  have  no  continuing 
city,  and  that  we  ought  to  endeavour  to  pripare  for  a 
nother  world  to  which  in  a  short  time  we  will  be  caled;  this 
consideration  ought  to  enable  us  to  sit  down  contented  under 
the  Chastesing  hand  of  Provedence,  and  cherfully  say, 
Good  is  the  Will  of  the  Lord. 

I  am  sensable  that  my  dear  Sisters  have  lost  all  they 
wished  for  in  life.  But  I  scancerely  hope  they  will  bear 
with  fortutude;  be  a  sured  I  will  let  your  friends  no  the 
loss  of  our  Dear  friend.  We  are  extremely  sorrey  to  find 
Miss  Webb  has  not  recovered  her  helth.  As  soon  as  the 
season  will  admit  of  it,  intend  to  pay  you  a  visit;  in  the 
mean  time  hope  to  here  from  you  as  offen  as  opportunity 
serves,  as  you  may  expect  from  us.  My  family  is  in  good 


176  FAMILY    LETTERS 

helth  and  joins  me  in  our  scancear  love  to  you,  Miss  Webb, 
Mrs.  J.  Bancker,  and  Policy,  who  intend  righting  to  [you] 
soon,  and  believe  me,  Dear  Sir,  to  be  your  friend  and 
Humbel  Servant, 

JOHN  DuYCKiNCK.1 

P.  S.     Pleas  make  my  compliments  to  your  Brother. 


JOHN  DUYCKINCK  TO  SARAH  BANCKER. 

NORTH  BRANCH,  December  4,  1781. 
Dear  Sister: 

By  Capt.  Webb's  of  the  27th  November  we  had  the 
Mallencoly  nuse  of  the  loss  of  our  Dear  Betsey,  a  loss 
Erapareable  to  you,  me,  and  my  little  family.  I  am  truly 
sensable  of  your  distressed  situation,  and  the  difficulties 
you  have  incountered  with  sense  I  saw  you.  But  my  dear 
Sister  it  was  all  done  for  the  best.  O,  when  we  have  reason 
to  hope  and  believe  that  she  is  now  in  Heavin,  this  con 
sideration  ought  to  enable  us  to  sit  contented  under  the 
chastening  hand  of  Provedence,  and  Cherefully  say  that 
good  is  the  Will  of  God.  My  Dear  Sister,  the  loss  is 
greate,  but  I  scancearly  wish  and  pray  -that  you  beare  it 
with  fortitude.  I  wish  I  was  with  you  to  partake  in  your 
troubles.  God  bless  you.  I  wish  you  well  and  hope  to 
hear  from  you  every  opportunity,  as  you  may  expect  from 
us.  I  entend  paying  you  a  visit  as  soon  as  the  season  will 
admit  of  it.  James  and  Mos.  Van  Kirk  is  well.  My 


1  The  earliest  generations  of  this  family  in  America  are  given  in 
New  York  Genealogical  and  Biographical  Record,  XXIII,  33. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        177 

family  in  good  helth  joins  me  in  love  to  you,  Mr.  J.  Webb, 
Sister  Policy.     I  am  your  Brother  and  H.  Svt., 

JNO.  DUYCKINCK. 

P.  S.  We  hare  last  Sunday  of  our  friends  sense  you  left 
us.  Mr.  Samuel  Conamon,  Mr.  Van  Vactor,  and  Miss 
Polly  Hude. 


FROM  JOHN  PALSGRAVE  WYLLYS. 

-T.          ~   .  HIGHLANDS,  loth  December,  1781. 

Dear  Colo: 

The  day  before  yesterday  I  arrived  with  the  Troops  at 
this  post,  sufficiently  fatigued  with  our  march,  but  all 
pleased  with  what  was  once  thought  so  execrable,  a  sight 
of  the  Highlands.  The  news  of  your  misfortune  first 
reached  me  at  Philadelphia,  and  was  confirmed  at  Mr. 
Lott's;  barely  to  say  that  I  condole  with  you,  does  not  do 
justice  to  my  feelings  of  friendship.  What  a  man  of  your 
sensibility  must  feel  on  such  an  occasion  I  think  I  can  in 
some  degree  judge.  Indeed,  my  dear  Colonel,  I  feel  with 
you. 

Capt.  Williams  doubtless  gives  you  the  situation  of  the 
Regiment.  I  am  sorry  it  is  necessary  for  you  to  be  troubled 
with  such  affairs  now.  A  Field  Officer  must  be  with  the 
Regiment  this  winter.  I  shall  tarry  some  time  longer 
than  I  otherwise  should,  had  Col.  Huntington  been  present 
at  my  arrival;  (but  I  shall  not  remain  for  more  than  a 
fortnight.)  I  should  imagine  he  ought  not  now  to  be 
critical  as  to  the  expiration  of  his  furlough.  The  condition 
of  our  whole  Line  is  at  present  very  disagreeable.  The 
soldiers  uneasy  for  want  of  pay  and  cloaths.  I  wish  our 
friends  in  Connecticut  were  properly  sensible  of  the  con- 


1/8  FAMILY     LETTERS 

sequences  which  may  attend  it.  Be  so  good  as  to  present 
my  compliments  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webb  and  to  your  sisters. 
Believe  me,  Sir,  Your  friend  and  humble  servant, 

JOHN  P.  WYLLYS. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield. 


FROM  JOHN  CHENEVARD. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  am  informed  the  Bearer  is  called  on  to  join  his  Regi 
ment;  could  wish  he  might  be  permitted  to  tarry  here 
longer,  as  he's  really  not  recovered  strength  enough  to 
undertake  the  journey.  Permit  me  to  give  you  a  short 
but  honest  narrative  of  the  distress  of  the  family,  and  then 
judge  ye  whether  it  will  not  be  an  act  of  generosity  and 
humanity  to  leave  him.  His  mother,  an  honest  labourous 
woman,  had  by  her  hands  collected  a  sufficiency  to  carry 
her  thro  the  winter,  when  her  eldest  daughter  was  siezed 
with  a  violent  fever,  which  confined  her  seven  weeks  with 
great  expence  and  trouble.  In  the  midst  of  her  disorder 
her  two  sons  came  home  sick.  James  has  recovered  his 
health  in  a  great  measure,  but  William  is  the  most  dis 
tressed  object  I  ever  beheld.  The  friends  and  neighbors 
are  called  in  every  day  to  see  him  take  his  final  departure 
from  this  world  of  sin,  sorrow  and  affliction,  and  as  he 
appears  desirous  himself  with  sure  grounds  and  hopes  of 
being  Eternally  happy,  we  wish  to  see  his  eyes  closed  that 
he  may  be  freed  from  pain.  We  are  daily  contributing 
something  to  the  relief  of  the  family,  everything  being 
exausted.  I  shouldn't  interfere  in  this  matter,  was  it  not 
by  particular  desire  and  knowing  the  Absolute  Necessity 
of  this  lad's  tarrying  to  assist  his  mother  and  brother  by 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        179 

attachment,  that  he  might  draw  his  rations,  &c.  If  I 
have  any  share  of  your  friendship  and  esteem,  let  me  beg 
the  favor  of  you  to  let  the  lad  remain  on  command  or 
detachment,  as  you  judge,  but  till  April,  which  will  be 
gratefully  acknowledged  by  them  as  well  as  by,  Dear  Sir, 
your  affectionate  friend,  &c., 

J.  CHENEVARD. 
Dec.  24th,  1781. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  Weathersfield. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

KENSINGTON,  2yth  December,  [1781], 
My  Dear  Brother:  and  I2  °'dock  at  niSht* 

When  I  think  of  you  I  always  think  of  our  most  valuable 
departed  Friend,  and  wish  myself  with  her.  How  amible 
does  every  past  seen  of  hers  now  appear  to  me;  when  she 
went  I  lost  a  most  amible  Friend,  one  long  before  I  knew 
you  ever  saw,  I  esteemed  and  loved.  She  is  gone  to  her 
Blessed  God,  who  I  pray  of  his  Infinite  mercy  to  look  down 
upon  us  and  our  amible  Friends  with  pity  and  compassion 
and  fit  and  prepare  us  to  bid  this  world  adieu,  and  all  its 
earthly  vanities,  and  join  our  Amible  departed  Friends  in 
Heaven.  Let  it  comfort  you  my  Brother  when  you  have 
every  reason  to  believe  that  our  Friend  is  with  the  Blessed 
in  Paradise. 

Present  my  respects  to  Mrs.  Bancker  and  love  to  Aunt 
Polly.     Tell  them  I  intend  paying  them  a  visit  in  a  few 
days.     I  am,  my  friend,  wishing  you  health  and  happiness. 
Your  sincere  and  affectionate  brother, 

JOHN  WEBB. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Sam'l  B.  Webb.    Wethersfield.     Per  Dragoon. 


ISO  FAMILYLETTERS 

FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON. 

NORWICH,  31  December,  1781. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  drawn  an  order  on  you  for  fourteen  dollars  in 
favor  of  Mr.  David  Nevins,  it  being  this  amount  of  his  bill 
for  a  beaver  Hatt.  Hope  it  may  meet  your  acceptance, 
trusting  you  have  not  forgot  a  wager  between  us  which 
enables  me  thus  to  draw  upon  you.  I  am,  dear  sir,  Your 
humble  servant, 

EBEN  HUNTINGTON. 

Wethersfield,  3rd  January,  1781.  Received  of  Samuel 
B.  Webb  Four  Pounds  four  shillings  in  full,  for  a  Bever 
Hat  which  Lt.  Colonel  Huntington  purchased  of  David 
Nevins.1 

THOMAS  LATHROP. 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 

EXTRACT  FROM  THE  ORDERS  OF  His  EXCELLENCY. 
HEAD  QUARTERS,  PHILADELPHIA,  January  10,  1782. 

As  it  is  expected  that  in  the  course  of  the  present  winter, 
many  of  the  officers  and  men  belonging  to  the  Army  of  the 
United  States  will  be  indulged  with  leave  of  absence  from 
their  corps  for  a  limitted  time,  and  as  it  is  absolutely  neces 
sary  that  the  strictest  punctuality  should  be  observed  in 
returning  at  the  expiration  of  the  time  to  which  their  fur 
loughs  are  granted;  the  Commander  in  Chief  has  thought 
proper  thus  early  in  the  season  to  signify  his  fixed  deter 
mination  to  all  concerned,  that  every  officer  or  soldier  who 

1  The  receipt  is  in  the  writing  of  Webb. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        l8l 

shall  absent  himself  beyond  the  limitation  of  his  furlough, 
unless  he  shall  be  prevented  from  returning  by  some  in 
evitable  misfortune  or  other  casualty  which  shall  be  deemed 
a  sufficient  reason  for  his  detention,  shall  for  such  conduct 
be  brought  to  tryal  before  a  court  martial.  Upon  the  re 
turn  of  any  officer  who  may  have  violated  this  order  by 
absenting  himself  beyond  the  time  of  his  furlough,  report 
is  immediately  to  be  made  thereof  to  the  Adjutant  General 
or  deputy  Adjutant  General,  who  is  to  represent  the  same 
to  the  General  or  Commanding  officer  that  the  necessary 
steps  may  be  taken  without  delay.  The  mode  of  proceeding 
against  absent  officers  as  pointed  out  by  a  Resolution  of 
Congress  is  to  be  invariably  pursued.  Soldiers  are  also  to 
be  tryed  and  punished  in  the  most  summary  manner,  if 
they  will  be  guilty  of  crimes  so  injurious  to  the  public  ser 
vice  as  well  as  to  the  interest  and  feelings  of  their  brother 
soldiers,  w^ho  may  in  consequence  of  the  long  absence  of 
such  delinquents  be  unevitably  debared  the  gratifycation 
of  visiting  their  friends  before  the  opening  of  the  Campain. 
The  General,  however,  cannot  but  hope  by  taking  the  pre 
caution  of  causing  this  public  notice  of  his  intention  to  be 
given  to  the  Army  the  disagreeable  consequences  w^ill  be 
prevented  which  might  otherways  take  place;  for  he  is 
persuaded  who  ever  will  give  himself  the  trouble  to  reflect 
will  find  that  as  grait  indulgences  as  are  consistent  with 
the  Public  good  and  justice  to  individuals  are  granted  in 
the  first  instance;  that  as  a  certain  number  of  officers  must 
be  constantly  kept  in  camp,  every  tresspass  upon  those 
indulgencies  is  an  act  of  injustice  to  the  individual  who  is 
detained  in  consequence  of  it,  probably  in  the  Issue  to  the 
Public.  That  the  most  pointed  exactness  is  indispensably 
requisite  in  all  military  affairs,  events  unknown  frequently 


1 82  FAMILY     LETTERS 

of  the  graitest  magnitude  depending  upon  it;  and  that  those 
men  who  have  attached  themselves  to  the  Service  of  their 
Country  should  consider  that  the  Public  has  a  constant 
clame  upon  their  servises,  which  can  only  be  dispensed 
with  under  certen  circumstances  and  for  definite  periods, 
of  which  those  interested  with  the  regulations  of  the  Army 
must  be  supposed  to  be  the  most  competent  judges.  No 
Officer  or  Soldier  is  to  be  permitted  to  be  absent  on  fur 
lough  after  the  loth  day  of  April  next,  on  any  occation 
what  ever. 

EDWARD  HAND,  Adjutant  General. 
Sir: 

As  it  may  possible  be  in  your  power  to  prevent  many  of 
those  irregularities  which  the  inclosed  orders  so  expressly 
refer  to,  I  have  thought  best  to  transmit  them. 

Am,  Sir,  with  every  sentiment  of  esteem  Your  obedient 
Servant, 

STEPHEN 
CAMP  [HIGHLAND  HUTTS],  Feby.  3,  82. 


FROM  ELISHA  HOPKINS. 

CONNECTICUT  HUTTS,  3  February,  1782. 
My  Dear  Colonel: 

Capt.  Betts  at  present  commands  the  Regiment,  and  he 
informs  me  that  he  has  wrote  you  a  few  days  since;  there 
fore  I  shall  not  be  very  particular,  but  mention  a  few  Regi 
mental  matters.  The  clothing  is  making  with  as  much 
expedition  as  the  number  of  Taylors  will  admit;  but  if  there 
is  no  addition  to  them  we  (the  3  Regt.)  shall  not  be  able 

1  Of  Norwalk,  Conn.  He  was  a  captain  in  Webb's  regiment  and 
served  through  the  war. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB         183 

is  take  the  field  in  Compleat  uniform  as  soon  as  any  other 
Regiment  of  the  Line  by  a  month. 

The  Officers  present  have  exerted  themselves  both  for 
the  honor  of  the  Regiment  and  its  Commander;  but  still 
it  is  reflected  on  from  the  circumstance  of  its  having  no 
field  officer  present  at  this  time,  especially  when  the  orders 
are  so  pointed  respecting  it.  It  is  on  no  other  principal,  my 
Dear  Colonel  Webb,  but  that  of  real  and  personal  Friend 
ship  that  induces  me  to  mention  these  circumstances  to 
you;  therefore  do  permit  me  to  ask  you  to  come  on  to 
Camp,  if  it  is  but  for  a  few  days.  I  know  how  sensibly  your 
and  your  friends  misfortunes  touch  you,  but  the  world  in 
general  does  not  look  threw  the  same  perspective.  I  have 
applyed  to  Mr.  Beers  for  Russel's  1  wages.  He  will  deliver 
the  money  when  ever  Russell  will  give  an  order.  I  told 
Asher  what  his  Colonel  had  wrote,  but  he  declined  giving 
an  order,  saying  that  he  had  given  the  Colonel  one  when  at 
Wethersfield. 

That  part  of  your  baggage  that  was  left  in  Camp  I  have 
at  my  Hut.  Old  Jack  takes  care  of  your  kitchen  furniture. 
Your  goats  are  in  good  order,  but  one  of  the  last  year's 
kids  has  a  young  one  which  will  die  on  account  of  the  very 
severe  weather. 

Sergeant  Boardman  2  will  deliver  this;  he  is  able  to  give 
you  satisfactory  answers  to  many  questions  in  regard  to 
Regimental  matters.  He  has  on  one  of  the  new  coats. 
My  servant  this  moment  informs  that  the  kid  is  dead.  I 
am  sorry  for  it  but  I  have  this  consolation,  I  shall  have 
milk  for  Coffee. 

1  Ashur  Russell,  of    Captain    Joseph  Walker's  company,  Webb's 
regiment. 

2  Elijah  Boardman,  sergeant  in  Captain  Bulkley's  company. 


184  FAMILY     LETTERS 

I  do  not  know  whether  my  friends  think  of  it  or  not,  but 
I  at  this  moment  imagine  myself  entitled  to  a  furlough, 
but  [am]  kept  in  camp  from  the  reason  of  Capt.  Riley's 
not  joining.  What  entitles  him  to  any  more  indulgence 
than  myself  I  do  not  know,  but  it  is  true  he  has  it.  This 
I  mention  to  you  as  a  Captain  in  the  Regiment  that  you 
command,  and.  under  which  command  I  have  ever  con 
ceived  myself  happy.  At  this  moment  I  have  not  cloths 
decent  to  appear  with,  but  I'll  never  ask  permission  for 
absence  untill  it  can  be  done  consistent  with  duty. 

The  men  that  was  inoculated  have  in  general  had  it 
light;  but  some  are  left  quite  low,  two  has  died.  I  con 
clude  with  my  best  compliments  to  all  friends  around  you, 
My  dear  Colonel,  with  sentiments  of  real  esteem,  Your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servt., 

E.  HOPKINS. 

Addressed:  Colonel  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield,  Connecticut. 
By  Sergt.  Boardman. 


FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON. 

CONNECTICUT  VILLAGE,  15  February,  '82. 
Dear  Sir: 

Inclosed  you  will  receive  a  packet  which  I  found  this 
day  at  Col.  Hull's,1  as  you  will  see  by  h'is  note  directed  to 
you.  Must  beg  you  will  send  Sergt.  Hosmer  2  to  Camp  im 
mediately,  as  his  presence  is  absolutely  necessary,  as  Capt. 
Hopkins  will  be  able  to  inform  you,  to  whom  I  refer  you 
for  the  more  particular  situation  of  the  Regiment  than  my 
knowledge  will  afford. 

1  Col.  William  Hull  of  the  Massachusetts  line. 

2  Prosper  Hosmer,  of  Captain  Hopkins'  company. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        185 

Please  make  my  affectionate  compliments  to  Mrs. 
Bancker,  Miss  Duyckink  and  your  brother's  family,  and 
believe  me  yours, 

EBEN.  HUNTINGTON. 

Addressed:  Colonel  Saml.  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield.  By  Corporal 
Horton. 


ISRAEL  STRONG  TO  CAPTAIN  BETTS. 

TOLLAND,  February  2Oth,  1782. 
Dear  Sir: 

Perhaps  you  think  it  strange  that  I  have  not  ben  to  the 
Regiment.  But  the  reson  is  this.  On  my  Returen  from 
the  Regiment  I  met  with  the  misfortien  to  fall  in  the  River 
at  farmingtown  whare  I  allmost  ketched  my  dath,  for  I 
have  not  Ben  able  to  go  three  mildes  from  my  hous  sence, 
&c.  I  send  inclosed  in  this  letter  my  Commission  and  Beg 
you  would  Represent  matters  as  favreabel  to  the  Cort  as 
you  can.  I  fling  my  self  upon  the  mercey  of  the  Cort 
and  would  have  matters  go  on  the  same  as  if  I  was  thare,  for 
as  to  Being  thare  I  cannot,  as  I  am  not  able  &c.  Sir,  I  am 
with  esteem  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

ISREAL  STRONG. 


FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON. 

CONNECTICUT  VILLAGE,  2d  March,  1782. 
Dear  Sir: 

As  Captain  Hopkins  would  on  his  arrival  be  able  to  give 
you  every  (and  indeed  more)  information  than  at  that  time 
I  could  or  can  now,  is  the  cause  why  I  have  deferred  writ 
ing  from  time  to  time.  Whether  you  have  as  good  reasons 


1 86  FAMILY     LETTERS 

for  your  silence  I  will  not  pretend  to  determine,  tho'  I 
fancy  you  can  readily. 

By  a  late  General  Order  Col.  Stewart1  is  appointed  as 
Muster  Master  to  the  Northern  Department,  and  Lt. 
Colonel  Tennant 2  commands  Legionary  Corps  M.  M.  to 
the  Southern  department,  a  pretty  appointment  for  friend 
Stewart.  I  expected  from  the  conversation  I  had  with  you 
that  Hazard  3  would  have  joined  his  Regiment  before  this 
time;  all  others  mentioned  in  General  Orders  to  be  called 
in,  will  be  in  immediately.  Corp'l  Ward  4  mentioned  to  me 
you  wanted  your  Waggon  harness;  it  was  not  back  to 
Wethersfield  and  I  supposed  had  been  returned.  You  will 
please  to  make  my  Respectful  Compliments  to  your 
Mamma,  nor  would  I  wish  to  be  forgotten  in  desiring  Com 
pliments  to  Aunt  Polly,  Hetty,  and  Sally,  and  to  the  rest 
of  our  friendly  circle. 

I  am,  dear  Sir,  Your  Humble  Servant, 

EBEN  HUNTINGTON. 

Addressed:   Colonel  Webb,  Wethersfield.    By  Sergt.  Griffin. 


FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON. 

CONNECTICUT  VILLAGE,  4th  March,  '82. 
Dear  Sir: 

This  goes  to  Hartford  by  Doctor  West 5  who  yesterday 
received  a  discharge  from  the  Army,  by  which  conveyance 

1  Walter  Stewart. 

2  Jean  Baptiste  Ternant,  once  of  Pulaski's  legion. 

3  No  one  of  this  name  appears  on  the  muster  rolls  of  Webb's  regiment. 

4  Daniel  Ward,  of  Captain  Williams'  company. 

5  Jeremiah  West,  of  Tolland,  Conn.     He  and  John  Rose  were  the 
surgeons  in  Webb's  regiment.    Rose  was  promoted  and  served  to  the 
close  of  the  war.    He  came  from  Coventry. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        187 

I  have  thought  best  to  advise  you  of  his  discharge  and  to 
recommend  Doctor  John  Rose  the  Surgeon's  Mate  to  fill 
the  birth  of  a  Surgeon.  I  would  also  mention  to  you  a 
Mr.  Waldo  who  has  just  compleated  his  time  with  Doctor 
Turner,1  to  receive  him  if  you  think  proper.  Rose  you 
know,  and  General  H[eath]  will  be  able  to  give  you  every 
necessary  information  about  Doctor  Waldo.  I  think  unless 
you  attend  to  it  immediately  you  must  expect  to  be  with 
out  a  Surgeon  during  the  Campaign,  as  the  Governor  and 
Council  are  not  over  anxious  about  appointing  Commission 
or  Staff  Officers  to  fill  the  vacancies  which  happen  in  the 
Line. 

I  am,  dear  Sir,  yours, 

EBEN  HUNTINGTON. 

Addressed:    Colonel  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield.     By  Doctor 
West. 


GULIAN  VERPLANCK  TO  MRS.  BANCKER. 

FISHKILL,  March  2Oth,  82. 
Madam: 

There  is  in  my  possession  a  Bond  against  your  late 
Husband  for  seven  hundred  pounds,  on  which  there  will 
be  due  next  May  seven  years  Interest.  Mr.  Evert  Bancker 
is  the  security  who  had  advised  me  to  write  to  you  on  the 
subject.  My  necessities  drive  me  to  sollicit  some  assist 
ance  from  you.  I  should  not  make  this  application  in 
times  of  such  difficulty  as  the  present  if  my  wants  were 

1  Philip  Turner,  of  Norwich,  Conn.  He  was  Surgeon  General  in  the 
Eastern  Department,  but  retired  in  June,  1781.  He  had  studied  under 
Dr.  Elisha  Tracy,  his  father-in-law,  and  was  the  first  surgeon  in  Amer 
ica  to  perform  the  operation  of  tying  the  femoral  artery.  He  died  in 
New  York  in  1815. 


1 88  FAMILY     LETTERS 

not  extremely  pressing.  If  you  have  it  in  your  power  to 
do  anything  it  will  very  much  oblige  me.  I  beg  you 
will  favor  me  with  an  answer  as  soon  as  convenient.  I  re 
main  Your  humble  servant, 

GULIAN    VERPLANCK.1 

Addressed:    Mrs.   Bancker,   at  Mr.  Joseph  Webb's,  Wethersfield, 
Connecticut. 


JOHN  DUYCKINCK  TO  MRS.  BAXCKER. 

NORTH  BRANCH,  28th  March,  1782. 
Dear  Madam: 

I  this  instant  received  a  few  lines  by  way  of  Major  Blinns, 
handed  me  by  one  of  our  nabours,  whereby  I  am  happy  to 
find  you  am  in  Helth,  and  that  Policy  and  Miss  Hette 
Webb  is  recovering  from  there  Illness.  We  have  bean  very 
anctious  to  here  from  you,  we  have  once  heard  from  you 
sence  December,  which  was  by  the  way  of  Mr.  Smith  to 
Mr.  Christopher  Bancker.  We  should  of  [have]  bean  glad 
to  of  [have]  wrote  you  before,  but  could  git  no  opportunity. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson  2  and  Family  is  in  good  helth.  Your 
old  Nabours  all  anctious  to  hear  from  you. 

The  season  so  far  advanced  before  I  got  the  Mills  that 
little  done  to  the  Dams,  a  few  sticks  of  timber  put  on  the 
last  fall  which  was  of  Grate  Service.  We  went  on  Prette 
well  with  the  business  of  Milling  untill  about  the  Middle 
of  December;  at  which  time  the  wrighter  ways  between 

1  Gulian  Verplanck,   son  of    Gulian   and  Mary   (Crommelin)   Ver- 
planck,  was  born  February  n,  1751,  and  died  November  20,  1799.  In 
1784  he  married  Cornelia  Johnstone,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children. 
His  house  was  in  Wall  Street,  New  York. 

2  John  Nelson,  writer  of  the  letter  on  p.  191,  infra.     His  name  is 
also  spelled  in  some  earlier  letters  Neilson. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        189 

the  fulling  mill  and  the  Griss  mills  gave  way,  and  made  a 
breach  and  damaged  the  Wrighter  weate  and  took  of  every 
Bucket  from  the  Wheale;  the  Weather  extreme  cold.    Not 
withstanding  I  went  at  it  with  my  own  hands,  the  next  day 
got  two  or  three  Carpenters,  in  two  days  after  the  Mills 
was  fitt  for  Busness.    They  continued  in  that  manner  untill 
first  of  March,  at  which  time  one  of  the  Hoops  round  the 
up   Strim  Mill  gave  way,  which  don  som  little  Damage 
which  was  repared  and  the  Mills  gowing  two  days  after, 
the  Ice  has  been  very  sevear.     However  we  made  out  to 
keap  them  gowing  little  or  no  loss  time,  the  House  excead- 
ing  cold.     Wood  very  diffacul  to  come  at  and  very  bad. 
We  have  got  a  good  deal  of  our  firewood  from  the  Farm, 
so  as  to  make  the  wood  from  the  Islands  burn.    No  person 
has   made    any  attempts    to   Perchas    the   Mills.      I   fru- 
quantly  say  the  Mills  are  for  sale.     Godfree  will  not  take 
the  fulling  mill  on  Hire,  I  have  agread  with  him  as  he  for 
merly  had  thim.    Taxis  is  very  High.    The  tax  for  me  to 
pay  to  first  of  June  next  is  £18  Hard  Money  and  State 
£27.  13.  2.    Grain  so  exceading  lo  that  it  will  be  dull  bes- 
ness,  we  are  doing  some  merchant  work  but  don  with  a  deale 
of  throuble.     I  fear  the  Mills  will  want  a  good  deal  of  re- 
pars.     I  wish  I  could  see  you  and  Col.  Webb  to  consult 
with  you  about  the  repars.     If  you  realy  intend  to  keeap 
them  any  time  they  should  be  repared  propperly.     I  shall 
do  every  thing  in  my  power  for  your  interests.     All  your 
relations  hear  in  good  Helth.     Little  Richard  a  find  child. 
Neaver  the  least  out  of  order;  rises  and  stands  him  selfe 
by  a  chair,     this  don  10  Days  a  gow.     Mrs.  J.  Duyckinck 
and  children  joins  me  in  love  to  you  sister,  Polly  and  Miss 
Hette  Webb,  and  am  your  affectionate  Brother  and  H.  S. 

JOHN  DUYCKINCK. 


190  FAMILY     LETTERS 

LEVINUS  CLARKSON  1  TO  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

NEW  BRUNSWICK,  1st  April,  1782. 
Sir: 

Your  letter  of  the  I5th  December  last  came  lately  to 
hand.  It  should  have  been  immediately  answered,  but 
was  anxious  waiting  for  a  price  current  you  was  so  obliging 
as  to  say  you  would  furnish  me  with  before  your  river 
opened.  I  have  not  been  favored  with  a  line  from  you 
since.  Yesterday  was  handed  me  Col.  John  Nelson's 
favor,  inclosing  a  letter  from  our  friend  Col.  Webb,  under 
date  the  i8th  February  last,  who  makes  mention  of  inclos 
ing  a  price  current,  which  Col.  Nelson  and  myself  suppose 
your  brother  has  neglected,  as  there  was  no  price  current 
inclosed.  It  is  immaterial  as  to  myself,  having  but  little 
cash  at  command,  and  therefore  shall  freight  my  part 
provided  the  same  freight  is  obtained  with  you  as  is  given 
at  Philadelphia.  One  half  is  given  of  flour  for  the  other 
to  the  Havannah  in  small  fast  sailing  vessels,  and  two 
fifths  for  large  classes  of  ships. 

Procure  an  experienced  Commander  and  four  seamen. 
My  part  of  outfits  please  to  draw  on  me  for,  provided  you 
cant  obtain  the  sum  of  one  hundred  pounds  L[awful] 
m[one]y,  or  more,  for  a  quarter  part  of  Sloop  Jersey  as  she 
now  lays.  Should  you  obtain  the  price  limited  I  shall 
have  more  in  your  hands  than  will  fit  her  compleat,  vict- 


1  Clarkson  and  John  Dorsius  had  been  Continental  Agents  in  South 
Carolina  of  the  Marine  Committee  for  obtaining  and  shipping  naval 
stores,  and  Clarkson  now  engaged  in  privateer  adventures.  In  April 
of  this  year  he,  associated  with  James  Hood  and  others,  sent  out  the 
brig  Dandy,  of  eight  guns,  but  it  was  a  Pennsylvania  vessel.  In  Decem 
ber,  1781,  he  sent  out  a  Connecticut  schooner,  the  Mayflower. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB 

ualled,  &c.  Should  a  74  be  too  much  for  the  Adventurer  1 
I  will  dispose  of  %th  at  the  same  lay,  whatever  proportion 
I  may  hold  in  the  sloop.  I  beg  you'll  freight  agreeable  to 
what  is  given  at  Philadelphia.  I  could  easily  procure  one 
half  was  she  at  Philadelphia.  Col.  Jno.  Nelson  will  give 
you  his  order  for  two-sixths.  If  she  goes  to  the  Havannah 
I  do  suppose  she  will  [be]  addressed  to  our  friend  James 
Seagrove.  If  he  can  obtain  a  large  price  for  her  what 
think  you  of  having  her  sold  and  leaving  the  amount  of 
vessel  and  freight  in  Mr.  Seagrove's  hands,  to  dispose  of 
as  the  owners  direct,  to  be  shipped  to  any  port  they  re 
spectively  order,  should  the  shippers  agree.  I  judge  it 
would  be  best  that  the  sloop  (if  not  sold)  should  return  to 
Philadelphia  where  sugars  will  fetch  a  better  price,  and  I 
am  convinced  by  your  letter  the  sloop  will  sell  for  consider 
ably  more  should  the  owners  incline  to  sell  her.  This 
just  depends  on  the  shippers  for  liberty.  Keep  me  in 
formed  of  your  proceedings  that  I  may  govern  myself 
accordingly.  Remember  me  to  the  Colonel,  and  believe 
me  to  be,  Sir,  Your  humble  servant, 

LEVS.  CLARKSON. 


JOHN  NELSON  TO  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

TRENTON,  2  April,  1782. 
Sir: 

A  few  days  ago  I  received  your  brother  Col.  Webb's 
letter  of  i8th  February  last,  requesting  me  to  consult  Mr. 
Clarkson  with  respect  to  the  directions  to  be  given  con 
cerning  the  Sloop  Jersey  which  I  have  done  and  his  letter, 

1  Neither  of  these  vessels  receives  mention  in  the  Naval  Records  of 
the  American  Revolution. 


FAMILY     LETTERS 

which  accompanies  this,  is  in  answer  thereto  so  far  as  he 
is  concerned.  As  for  the  two-sixths  which  remains  at  my 
disposal,  you  will  also  procure  freight  for,  if  it  can  be  done 
upon  the  terms  mentioned  in  Mr.  Clarkson's  letter,  and 
draw  upon  me  for  the  amount  of  the  outfits  of  that  pro 
portion  of  the  vessel.  As  soon  as  the  cost  is  known  please 
to  inform  me  of  it,  her  destination,  and  other  proceedings 
respecting  her  from  time  to  time.  I  am,  Sir,  with  most 
respectful  compliments  to  your  brother  Your  obedient 
very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  NELSON. 

I  should  have  wrote  Col.  Webb  in  answer  to  his  letter 
concerning  this  business,  but  probably  he  may  be  in  the 
field  which  might  occasion  delay. 


FROM  HARRIET  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  yth  April,  1782. 
Sunday  night,  I  Clock. 

The  hour  of  parting  draws  very  near.  Alas,  my  dear 
Brother,  when  shall  we  again  meet?  Tis  probable  that  it 
will  be  a  long  time  before  I  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
you  again.  You  and  I  shall  never  more  have  the  same 
home.  How  lost  I  shall  be  without  you;  but  it  must  be 
so,  and  I  must  be  content.  Forget  me  not;  let  not  ab 
sence  lessen  your  affection  for  her  who  is,  and  ever  will  be, 
tenderly  interested  in  your  happiness.  Your  afflictions 
have  ever  been  mine.  Could  I  but  lessen  them  by  par 
taking  I  should  think  myself  happy.  I  have  long  wished 
to  say  something  that  would  alleviate  your  mind  from  its 
present  trouble,  but  I  fear,  alas,  it  is  not  in  my  power.  I 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB 

very  well  know  that  your  loss  is  very  great.  Parting  with 
them  we  love  is  ever  a  hard  task;  but  to  bid  adieu  to  one 
so  amiable,  so  deservingly  dear  to  all,  requires  great  exer 
tions  for  fortitude,  lest  the  mind  sink  under  its  weight;  this 
world  is  but  a  scene  of  woe.  Why  are  we  so  very  foolish 
as  to  expect  peace  and  happiness  while  here?  Tis  said 
that  affliction  is  our  best  friend  and  that  its  awful  lessons 
are  never  so  necessary  as  in  youth.  May  it  teach  you,  my 
dear  brother,  patience  and  resignation  to  the  divine  will. 

Heaven  give  us  friends  to  bless,  the  present  scene 
Recalls  them  to  prepare  us  for  the  next. 

I  cannot  think  it  is  our  duty  to  attempt  to  extinguish 
nature,  but  to  repress  it.  I  could  not  wish  to  stand  un 
moved  at  distress;  but  it  shall  be  my  endeavor  to  turn 
every  disaster  to  my  own  advantage.  The  dear  amiable 
friend  we  so  much  lament  is  happ[il]y  released  from  all 
pain  and  trouble.  Why  does  my  heart  so  little  obey  my 
reason  as  to  lament  the  happiness  of  my  excellent  friend? 
Life  at  longest  is  but  a  few  days;  the  scene  ere  long  will  be 
closed  with  us;  then  I  trust  we  shall  meet  our  dear  de 
parted  friends  to  part  no  more.  Let  it  be  our  first  care, 
my  dear  brother,  to  make  the  necessary  preparations  for 
that  most  important  journey  which  we  most  assuredly 
must  take.  Do  my  dear  brother  take  care  of  your  health. 
You  may  rest  assured  that  we  shall  do  everything  that  is 
in  our  power  to  make  poor  Mrs.  Bancker  happy.  I  hope 
to  prevail  on  her  to  pay  Mrs.  Huntington  a  visit.  Perhaps 
she  will  accompany  me  to  Boston.  Our  dear  sister  will  be 
very  happy  to  see  her;  the  journey  I  am  sure  would  be  of 
service  to  her.  Should  you  write  our  friends  in  Jersey 
remember  me  to  them  all. 


194  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Good  night,  my  dear  brother,  wherever  I  am  my  wishes 
for  your  happiness  will  be  the  same  and  my  earnest  peti 
tions  arise  to  heaven  for  the  blessings  and  happiness  I  wish 
you  to  enjoy.  Write  as  often  as  you  can,  and  you  will 
oblige  your  ever  affectionate  sister, 

H.  W. 


FROM  SARAH  BANCKER. 

WETHERSFIELD,  April  21,  1782. 

I  had  the  pleasure  this  morning  of  receiving  your  favor 
No.  2  by  Russell,  with  a  J^  Ib.  tea  for  trial,  which  I  shall 
give  my  opinion  of  this  afternoon.  I  am  very  sorry  you 
have  by  your  atendance  on  the  Court  Martial  bin  pre 
vented  from  caling  on  Mr.  Verplank;  he  may  think  it  a 
neglect,  as  he  desired  an  answer  from  me.  I  rely  feel  uneasy 
about  it.  I  hope  ere  this  reaches  you  I'll  have  had  an 
opportunity.  I  wrote  you  a  few  days  past  by  Mr.  Carry 
of  Fishkill,  and  inclosed  the  two  accounts  you  wished  to 
have.  I  fear  he  has  not  left  Hartford  yet;  he  has  a  brother 
their.  If  he  should  not  be  gon  yet  I'll  indeaver  to  git  him 
to  take  your  brass  candlesticks;  it  will  be  but  a  littel  way 
for  you  to  send  him  for  them. 

I  received  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Gary  with  one  from  him  to 
you  with  the  shous.  Mine  are  mutch  to  large.  Mrs.  Gary 
in  her  letter  to  me  tels  me  she  had  receved  some  elegiac 
lines  wrote  by  Doctr.  Cutting  1  on  our  Dear  Departed 
friend,  but  fearing  it  would  cause  a  Renewal  of  my  grief 
she  has  not  sent  them  to  me.  She  nead  not  have  bin 


1  Dr.  John  Brown  Cutting,  of  the  medical  service  in  the  Eastern 
Department. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB 

afraid  to  send  them;  nothing  can  bring  her  more  in  my 
mind  than  she  ever  is.  Blessed  reflection,  while  I  mourn 
her  loss  I  can  look  back  to  her  past  life  with  the  pleasing 
consolation  of  its  haveing  bin  spent  in  innocence  and  vertue, 
of  witch  she  is  now  reaping  a  rich  reward.  My  Dear 
young  Partenner  in  affliction,  I  only  ask  you  to  bair  in 
your  mind  her  Vertues;  they  are  worthy  of  the  searious 
reflection  of  all  her  freinds.  I  know  you  loved  her  and 
admiered  her  for  them.  I  have  often  heard  you  say  you 
did. 

Gods  dealings  with  us  is  beyond  our  comprehension,  nor 
have  we  a  rite  to  ask  him  why  he  deals  thus  with  us;  to 
acquies  is  the  grand  point,  and  hear  I  must  confess  I  fall 
short.  I  cannot,  I  do  not,  submit  to  his  will  as  I  ought. 
You'll  call  me  crual  to  dwell  so  long  on  what  must  give  you 
pain,  but,  my  dear  friend,  you  must  know  by  experence 
the  humen  hart  being  over  charged  with  affliction  must  by 
communicating  ease  it  self  of  som  of  its  bordon. 

Your  Brother's  fammely  are  all  well.  I  drank  tea  with 
them  yester  day.  Miss  [Belinda]  Smith  is  with  us  yet, 
as  is  Mr.  [Barnabas]  Dean.  I  fear  he  dus  not  intend  to 
move  to  Harford.  I  have  not  heard  him  say  a  word  of  it 
sence  you  left  us.  He  told  me  he  intended  writing  to  you. 
Possable  he  may  mention  it  to  you.  General  Huntington  1 
caled  to  sea  me  sum  days  ago.  Pressed  me  very  mutch 
to  pay  a  visset  to  Mrs.  Huntington.  It  was  very  polite 
in  him.  I  can  not  promis  you  weather  I  can  bring  my 
self  to  do  it  or  not.  Alass,  all  things  are  alike  to  me.  At 
home  or  abroad,  or  wear  ever  I  am,  the  same  glumy  ideas 


1  Jabez  Huntington,  of  the  Connecticut  militia,  a  brother  of  Jedidiah 
Huntington. 


196  FAMILY     LETTERS 

posess  my  mind  I  thank  you  for  all  your  wishes  in  your 
two  affectinate  letters.  Continue  to  write  me  when  ever 
it  is  in  your  [power];  be  ahsured  it  is  my  greatist  happyness 
to  hear  and  know  that  you  are  well.  After  ading  Polly  and 
Miss  Smith's  Love  and  comliments,  and  recomending  you  to 
the  care  of  an  all  Grasious  Providence,  I  continue 
to  be  your  affectionate  Mother, 

SARAH  BANCKER. 
I  have  tried  the  tea,  it  is  very  good. 


COURT  MARTIAL. 

Proceedings  of  a  Brigade  Court  Martial  held  by  order 
of  the  Commander,1  for  the  tryal  of  such  prisoners  as  may 
be  brought  before  them. 

Captain  [ERASTUS]  WoLcorr,2  President. 

Lieut.  [SIMEON]  AVERT.'  1         **     i  (Lieut.  [ELIJAH]  RANSOM.5 

Lieut.  [NATHAN  HAYNES]  WHITING."  J        Me    *ers*       \  Ensign  [PHINEHAS]  BECKWITH.' 

The  Court  being  duly  formed  proceeded  to  the  tryal  of 
Elisha  Pulford,  a  soldier  in  the  5th  Regiment;  James 
Gray  of  the  1st  Regiment;  and  Seth  Dodge  of  the  3rd 
Regiment;  confined  for  stealing  or  suffering  to  be  stole 

1  Colonel  Webb. 

2  Of  Durkee's  regiment.    He  was  from  Windsor,  Conn. 

8  Avery,  of  Groton,  was  in  Captain  William  Richards'  company, 
Lieut.  Col.  Isaac  Sherman's  regiment. 

4  Whiting,  of  Hartford,  in  Captain  Williams'  company,  Webb's 
regiment. 

6  Ransom,  of  Colchester,  in  Captain  Elias  StillwelPs  company, 
Col.  John  Durkee's  regiment. 

6  Beckwith,  of  Lyme,  in  Captain  Simon  Spalding's  company, 
Durkee's  regiment. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB 

while  on  Sentry  at  the  Com[missar]ys  store,  one  Horse 
man's  tent,  and  six  bars  of  soap. 

The  prisoner's  being  called  seperately,  Plead  not  Guilty 
to  the  charge  elledged  against  them.  Com[missar]y  Mor 
gan  appeared  as  an  evidence  against  the  prisoners,  and 
being  properly  sworn,  says  he  examined  the  box  of  soap 
at  sun  sett  found  it  whole  and  unbroken.  He  further 
says  he  afterward  ordered  his  scaleman  to  deliver  two  bars 
out  of  said  box.  He  likewise  says  he  saw  the  Horseman's 
tent  at  the  same  time. 

George  Leidle,  the  scaleman  above  mentioned,  being 
called  before  the  Court  and  sworn,  says  he  opened  the  box 
of  soap,  weighed  and  delivered  out  two  bars;  examined  it 
again  in  the  morning  and  found  six  bars  missing  and  like 
wise  the  tent. 

The  Prisoners  in  their  defence  say,  the  back  part  and 
North  End  of  the  store  was  open  in  such  a  manner  that  a 
person  might  privately  get  in  without  their  discovering 
him  from  the  situation  they  were  posted,  which  was  in 
front  of  the  store. 

The  Court  after  consideration  are  of  opinion  the  Prison 
ers  are  not  guilty  of  the  crimes  charged  against  them. 

ERASTUS  WOLCOTT,  President. 

HUTTS,  April  23,  1782. 


FROM  WILLIAM  NORTH. l 

The  Baron  is  at  head  quarters,  where  I  have  sent  the 
Sergeant  with  the  recommendation  for  Hackley's  dis 
charge.  I  hope  he  will  receive  a  favorable  answer. 

The  General  sets  out  on  Tuesday  for  Connecticut.     I 

1  Now  aide  de  camp  to  Baron  Steuben. 


198  FAMILY     LETTERS 

shall  esteem  myself  honored  by  being  known  to  your 
brother  and  family.  The  Baron  will  be  happy  to  pay  his 
respects  to  them.  The  bearer  will  hand  you  some  news 
papers,  which  after  you  have  read  please  to  hand  to 
Colonel  [Henry]  Jackson.  With  the  greatest  respect  I 
am,  My  dear  Colonel,  Your  most  humble  servant, 

WM.  NORTH. 

Sunday  [near  FISHKILL,  May,  1782.] 


To  ABRAHAM  OGDEN. 

CONNECTICUT  Hurrs,  HIGHLANDS  ON  HUDSON'S  RIVER, 

May  2,  1782. 
Dear  Sir: 

Att  the  particular  request  of  Mrs.  Bancker,  my  Mother 
in  Law  and  sole  Executrix  to  the  estate  of  her  late  Husband 
Richard  Bancker  deed,  I  am  to  desire  you  will  take  the 
earliest  opportunity  to  inform  me  the  particular  state  of 
debt  originally  against  Edward  Lewis,  now  in  your  hands. 
I  beg  you  to  be  as  particular  as  possible  in  informing  me 
of  its  various  stages  and  changes  since  committed  to  your 
charge,  and  likewise  of  the  present  prospects  of  obtaining 
the  payment.  I  am  likewise  to  request  your  information 
respecting  the  estate  of  Joseph  Walling  or  his  heirs.  Wall 
ing  is  we  suppose  dead.  He  formerly  lived  near  Hardy 
Town,  Sussex  County.  Your  attention  and  early  answer 
to  the  above  will  oblige  Mrs.  Bancker,  as  w^ell  as 

Your  obedient  and  Most  Humble  Servant, 

SAML.  B.  WEBB. 

P.  S.  Be  kind  enough  to  direct  for  me  the  3d  Connecti 
cut  Regt. 


SAMUEL    BLACHLEY   WEBB  199 

JOHN  DUYCKINCK  TO  SARAH  BANCKER. 

,  T     .,-.  N.  BRANCH,  May  the  7th.  1782. 

My  Dear  Maddam: 

By  Major  [Benjamin]  Tallmage  sometime  sence  I  reed 
a  few  lines  from  Coll.  Webb.  At  the  Major's  return  I 
wrote  you,  inclosed  to  the  Coll.  Make  no  doubt  you  have 
reed,  it,  and  should  of  [have]  bean  glad  to  of  [have]  had 
your  answer,  as  well  to  no  how  you  and  Policy  is,  as  to  give 
sum  particular  directions  respecting  the  repares  of  the  Mills. 
I  did  not  no  how  affares  was  surcomstamced  about  the 
Mills;  therefore  did  not  rent  the  Houses  in  Brunswick, 
least  it  might  of  [have]  bean  most  conveaniant  for  you  to 
sell  the  Mills,  and  me  to  quit  them  before  my  time  expired. 
If  it  could  be  consistant  with  your  judgment  I  think  you 
had  best  sell  the  Mills,  if  an  oppertunity  serves;  as  in  these 
times  they  must  be  but  a  bill  of  cost.  The  marketts  so 
dul  that  nothing  can  be  don  in  the  marchant  way,  and  the 
grains  in  general  so  lo  that  the  contry  work  will  not  near 
pay  the  rent,  taxes,  and  mills  so  that  is  dull  business.  How 
ever  I  [am]  now  gowing  to  amuse  my  self  by  putting  up  a 
Still  for  the  destilling  of  rye  and  syder,  and  take  the  liberty 
of  putting  of  it  on  the  Mill  lott.  If  I  can  accomplish  it  it 
will  be  of  service  to  the  sale  of  the  Mills,  by  showing  the 
people  that  that  branch  of  Business  may  be  convenantly 
carried  on  there.  When  I  leave  the  plase  shall  move  all 
of.  Inclosed  is  a  letter  a  few  days  sence  came  to  my  hands 
for  you.  James  and  his  family,  as  also  Mrs.  Van  Skirk,  is 
in  goad  helth.  Evert  as  he  always  is;  Richard  is  a  fine 
child,  stands  alone;  John  continues  in  Brunswick;  Wil 
liam  with  my  little  girls  in  good  helth,  as  also  Mother 
Henry.  All  join  me  with  Mrs.  Duyckinck  in  our  seanceare 
love  to  you  Policy,  the  Coll.,  and  Miss  Webb,  and  in  hopes 


2OO  FAMILY     LETTERS 

of  seeing  you  here  to  spend  a  part  of  the  summer  with  us, 
and  am,  Dear  Sister,  your  affectionate  and  Humble 
Servant, 

JOHN  DUYCKINCK. 


FROM  SARAH  BANCKER. 

WETHERSFIELD,  May  9th,  1782. 

I  wrote  you  a  few  lines  4th  inst.  by  Capt.  Colfax,1  in- 
cloasing  a  letter  from  my  Brother  Evert  Bancker,  doubt 
not  but  you  have  received  it.  Baron  Stuben  being  at 
present  at  your  Brothers,  politly  offered  to  be  the  bairor 
of  this.  In  your  letter  No.  3  you  seam  to  think  your 
friend  had  neglected  writing  as  often  as  they  might;  as 
for  my  part  how  ever  disagreable  writing  may  be  to  me  I 
would  not  give  you  pain  by  neglecting  it,  nor  do  I  know 
of  any  oppertunity  that  has  slipt  me  with  out  a  line  to  you, 
except  the  Post,  and  that  moad  of  convaence  I  must  con 
fess  I  am  reather  fearfull  of,  they  haveing  bin  frequently 
intersepted.  When  you  write  my  Brother  Duyckinck 
about  the  disposing  of  the  mills  you  must  remember  to  do 
it  in  sutch  a  manner  as  not  to  interfear  with  time  he  has 
rented  them,  witch  is  tel  next  May.  I  dont  think  however 
should  a  purchiser  offer  that  he  would  hinder  the  sales  of 
them,  as  he  knows  we  must  be  at  a  great  expence  to  pre 
pare  them  and  not  intend  to  keep  them  would  be  folly. 
Your  attention  to  my  affears  I  doubt  not  will  help  to  relive 
my  mind  of  that  burdon,  and  at  the  same  time  in  the  end 
be  an  advantage  to  your  self.  The  Mr.  Ashmun  I  men- 

1  He  was  not  a  captain  until  1783.  At  this  time  he  held  rank  as 
lieutenant  in  Captain  Selah  Benton's  company,  5th  Regiment,  Lieut. 
Col.  Isaac  Sherman. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB       2OI 

tioned  to  you,  your  Brother  has  seen.  A  man  he  knows 
where  he  lives  and  is  acquanted  with  him.  He  ses  he  is 
dowing  very  well,  so  that  I  am  in  hopes  we  shall  recover 
that  monny,  thoug  can  not  say  how  soon.  He  has  wrote 
to  him  to  call  on  me.  You  deserve  to  know  how  Phillip 
behaved.  I  can  asshure  you  he  behave  exseding  well. 

Genl.  Huntingdon]  and  Lady  came  to  this  Town  yester 
day;  they  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webb,  Miss  Blinda  Smith 
and  sister  Polly  are  gon  to  Hartford  to  see  the  multitude,  it 
being  alection  day.  Miss  Pegge  stayd  with  me;  they 
ware  very  solicitous  for  my  accompanying  them,  but  alass, 
what  satisfaction  can  a  mind  like  mine  overloaded  with 
grief  receve  from  a  crowd  of  people,  all  or  at  least  many 
blest  with  site  of  beloved  friends,  while  I,  disconsolate 
woman,  have  only  to  reflect  that  I  have  bin  happy,  but 
never  more  can  be  so  again.  Time  indead,  as  you  my 
dear  friend  say,  may  make  it  more  supportable;  but  no 
time  can  make  me  happy.  I  know  as  Christans  we  have 
no  rite  to  call  to  account  the  delings  of  Providence;  he 
who  rules  all  dus  it  wisely  and  for  the  best.  I  am  sensable 
of  your  affecton  and  love  for  her.  Your  conduct  to  her 
ever  convinced  you  love  her,  and  I  hope  erelong  we  boath 
shal  meet  her  never  to  be  seperated  more.  Your  kind  and 
tender  expressions  of  friendship  for  me  I  most  gratfull 
remember.  I  shal  write  to  Mrs.  Gary  in  a  day  or  two  and 
request  her  to  send  the  lines  she  mentioned.  I  think  she 
was  rong  to  mention  them  tel  she  sent  them.  Tel  my 
Brother  Duyckinck  when  you  write  him  I  will  write  him 
by  the  next  oppertunity.  I  have  began  a  letter  to  him 
but  could  not  go  on  with  it.  Genl.  Huntington  returns  to 
Norage  [Norwich]  on  Saturday  or  Monday.  Thay  insist 
on  my  going  with  them;  beleve  I  shal  with  your  Sister 


2O2  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Hetty  except  their  invitation;  we  shal  not  stay  thare  more 
than  2  days.  Should  you  be  able  to  pay  me  a  visit  I  should 
be  very  sorry  to  be  out.  Mr.  Dean  still  hear.  He  behaves 
very  atentive  and  polite,  notwithstanding  I  would  mutch 
rether  he  went  to  Harford.  I  fear  he  cant  git  a  house, 
[as]  he  does  not  say  a  word  about  it.  Your  friends  hear 
are  all  well  and  desire  to  be  affectionately  remembered  to 
you.  Polly  has  bin  for  2  or  3  days  very  unwell  but  is  quite 
recovered  Your  Brother  I  sopose  has  acquanted  you  of  the 
death  of  your  Sister  Barrel  child;  it  is  the  younggest,  a 
Betsey,  a  name  dearror  to  me  then  any  on  earth. 

May  Hevens  bless  you  and  return  you  saft  to  your  friends, 
is  the  sencear  and  ardent  wish  of  Your  affectinat  mother, 

S.  B. 


FROM  WILLIAM  HEATH. 

HIGHLANDS,  May  23,  1782. 
Dear  Sir: 

Major  General  Baron  Steuben  wishes  to  see  you,  or  if 
you  cannot  attend  yourself,  a  Field  Officer  of  the  Connecti 
cut  Line,  tomorrow  in  the  forenoon  at  West  point. 

I  am  with  great  regard,  Dear  Sir,  your  obedient  Servant, 

W.  HEATH, 
M.  General. 

On  the  outer  sheet:  McCarthy  will  please  forward  this 
immediately.  W.  HEATH. 

Addressed:  Colonel  Webb,  or  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Con 
necticut  Line,  Connecticut  Huts.  Public  Service. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        2O3 

FROM  JOHN  P.  WYLLYS. 

PlNEBRIDGE,  3rd  June,   1782. 

Dear  Col: 

The  tea  and  sugar  came  safe,  for  which  I  am  obliged  to 
you.  We  get  no  news  here,  except  what  is  contained  in 
Jemmy's  letter,  which  I  inclose.  I  hope  to  find  the  Troops 
when  I  return  ready  to  take  the  field,  as  the  herbage  here 
is  very  luxuriant.  The  duty  here  is  now  much  easier  than 
at  first,  or  rather  is  more  natural.  I  have  slept  under  cover 
no  night  since  I  have  been  at  the  post.  We  make  use  of 
Sergt.  White's  bed  of  honor  on  which  ten  thousand  men 
might  sleep  without  touching.  However  the  duty  may  be 
called  hard.  Our  men  grow  sick  fast.  A  party  of  our 
volunteer  horse  which  I  had  sent  as  a  scout  fell  in  with 
some  refugees,  five  or  six  of  whom  they  wounded  and  took 
one  prisoner.  That  is  all  the  military  exploit  in  which  I 
have  as  yet  had  any  hand  since  the  command  commenced. 
I  expect  at  least  Genl.  -  -'s  thanks  for  planning.  My 
compliments  to  the  Officers  of  the  Regiment  and  believe 
me  Most  sincerely  yours, 

JNO.  P.  WYLLYS. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  Connecticut  Hutts,  Highlands. 
To  the  care  of  Capt.  Sewell.1 


FROM  SARAH  BANCKER. 

WEATHERSFIELD,  June  3,  1782. 

Richard  going  of  to  morrow  morning,  although  I  have 
said  all  I  could  in  my  N.  7,  would  not  let  him  go  with  out 

1  Henry  Sewall,  of  the  Massachusetts  line,  now  aide  de  camp  to 
General  Heath. 


2O4  FAMILY     LETTERS 

asking  you  how  you  do  and  leting  you  know  that  your 
frinds  are  well,  and  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gary  is  hear  on  a 
visset.  She  tels  me  she  has  forgot  to  bring  the  lines  Doct. 
Cutting  wrote  on  our  Dear  Betsey.  I  do  not  know  how 
she  could,  when  she  was  a  cuming  to  the  very  house  that 
was  intersted  [in]  them.  She  has  prommised  to  send  them 
as  soon  as  she  returns.  I  cannot  say  I  have  my  helth  as 
well  as  I  had  some  time  ago,  but  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at. 
My  Dear  Lovely  Child  is  not  a  moment  out  of  my  toughts 
and  intrudeing  troubles  besides.  O  that  I  were  with  her, 
then  I  should  be  happy,  and  tel  then  I  shal  be  a  bordon 
to  my  self  and  friends.  Excuse  me  writing  you  so  often  on 
a  subject  that  must  bring  to  your  mind  your  one  trouble. 
After  closeing  my  last  to  you  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Ashmon.  He  tels  me  he  will  com  down  to  me  and  that  he 
conseves  him  self  under  every  obligation  to  do  justice  to 
the  estate  and  relation  of  Mr.  Bancker.  I  wish  he  may  be 
able  to  git  the  whole  Dept  of  him,  but  I  fear  as  a  great 
part  of  it  is  for  rent,  he  will  think  it  hard  as  he  can  not  pos 
sess  the  land  on  account  of  the  war.  I  shal  do  the  best  I 
can.  Your  Brother,  wife,  and  sister  Hetty  are  going  to 
Boston  in  a  few  days.  They  are  very  desierous  of  my  going 
with  them,  but  I  cannot  consent  to  it.  I  believe  they  will 
take  your  carage.  I  heard  Col.  Huntington  a  few  days 
ago  say  he  did  not  expect  to  go  to  camp  in  a  month  or  six 
weeks.  If  your  vissit  depends  on  his  return  to  camp  I 
fear  we  shal  not  sea  you  soon.  However  I  will  not  anticipate 
evels,  they  com  fast  enough.  Polly  is  very  well  and  desires 
her  love  to  you.  Except  my  warmest  wishes  for  your  helth 
and  happyness,  and  believe  me  to  be  with  unfained  affec 
tion  your  mother, 

SARAH  BANCKER. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        20$ 

I  have  received  the  ring.    I  think  it  handsome;  will  take 
care  of  it. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  Connecticut  Huts. 


FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON. 

[WETHERSFIELD],  5  June,  82. 
Dear  Sir: 

Inclosed  you  will  receive  a  long  and  tedious  scrall  which 
should  be  accompanied  with  some  newspapers,  but  I  have 
not  been  able  to  obtain  them.  Yesterday  two  lads  returned 
to  me  from  Camp  musterd  out,  one  of  them  21  years  old, 
5  feet  5  inches  high,  and  has  served  two  small  tours  in  the 
Continental  Army;  but  I  will  not  add  to  the  subject. 
I  am,  dear  sir,  Your  humble  servant, 

EBEN.  HUNTINGTON. 

Addressed:   Colonel  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Camp.    By  Richard. 


FROM  SARAH  BANCKER. 

WEATHERSFIELD,  Saterday,  I5th  June,  1782. 

I  wrote  you  a  few  lines  by  one  of  your  serjents  the  10 
Inst.  doubt  not  you  have  received  it.  Your  N.  10  was 
handed  me  last  evening.  Observe  what  you  told  Mr. 
Bancker  respecting  the  estate.  As  matters  have  turned 
out  I  wish  you  had  bin  more  explisit  with  him.  How  ever 
if  the  instrument  of  convience  is  as  saft  as  you  think, 
there  can  be  no  danger.  I  cant  think  Christopher's  treat 
ment  to  me  is  by  his  father's  knolege;  nor  do  I  think  it 
worth  your  wile  to  take  any  notice  of  it  to  him  for  the  pres- 


2O6  FAMILY     LETTERS 

ent.  When  I  have  seen  you,  witch  you  tel  me  you  hope 
will  be  soon,  we  will  be  better  able  to  determon  what  is  best 
to  be  done.  In  the  mean  time  I  have  wrote  to  him  and 
inclose  it  for  your  perusal.  You  will  sea  I  have  wrote 
with  coolness;  he  is  an  in  Prudent  young  man  and  I  feel 
for  his  parents.  O  how  blest  beyond  description  have  I 
bin  in  a  child  that  I  could  accuse  of  no  faulth.  Abraham 
Bancker  has  not  bin  hear  yet;  if  he  comes  I  will  tell  him 
how  the  estate  was  convied.  I  will  in  close  you  Qhristo- 
pher]  Bancker's  letter  to  me  for  your  perusal,  with  Mr. 
Duyckinck's.  I  am  at  a  loss  what  to  say  about  the  mills. 
They  must  have  some  repares,  for  I  fear  we  shal  not  be 
able  to  sell  them  as  soon  as  we  wish,  and  the  season  for 
doing  it  will  be  over.  But  beg  him  as  they  are  to  be  sold 
to  put  us  to  as  littel  expence  as  possable.  I  think  Mr. 
Duyckinck  was  rong,  as  he  knew  they  where  to  be  sold, 
to  put  up  a  still.  Should  we  be  lucky  enough  to  sell  them 
and  he  takes  his  works  of  he  will  sertenly  luse  by  it;  but 
it  is  his  one  doing.  He  wrote  me  he  was  going  about  it 
in  his  last  letter,  but  I  did  not  think  he  would  be  so  expe- 
dicious.  In  min  to  him  I  did  not  take  any  notice  of  it. 
He  said  he  would  take  it  of  could  we  sell  the  mills,  unless 
the  porchisor  would  by  it  of  him.  I  am  surprised  Mr. 
Ogdon  should  be  sutch  a  stranger  to  his  bisseness.  I  re 
member  very  well  what  he  told  me,  and  what  Sherif  also 
told  me;  it  was  secured  and  only  wanted  an  account  of 
the  monny  not  being  good.  I  leave  it  to  you  to  derect 
Mr.  Duyckinck  about  the  repairs  of  the  mill.  He  must 
take  it  out  of  the  rent.  Give  my  love  to  all  of  them  when 
you  write;  tel  him  I  have  not  bin  well  for  some  time  or 
would  have  wrote  him.  I  am  glad  your  jant  was  agreable. 
I  could  have  wished  to  have  sean  some  of  my  friends  with 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        2O7 

you,  but  alass,  what  releaf  would  the  site  of  my  friends  be 
to  me.  You  only  I  wish  to  see,  all  others  are  alike  to  me 
now. 

Your  Brother  and  sister  set  of  in  your  carage  this  morn 
ing.  Mr.  Merrils  and  your  sister  Hetty  in  another  carage 
for  Boston,  Philip  on  horseback.  They  expect  to  be  back 
in  a  forth  night.  I  hope  Godfrie  will  muster  the  monny 
for  his  notes.  I  have  not  received  a  shilling  yet,  and  God 
knows  when  I  shal.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gary  left  us  on  Wensday 
last.  She  has  had  fine  cole  weather  to  ride  in.  Polly  and 
your  sister  Abby  desire  their  love  to  you.  I  must  bid  you 
adieu,  and  believe  me  to  be  with  the  heighest  esteem  and 
affection  your  mother, 

SARAH  BANCKER. 

It  is  possable  I  maid  a  mistake  in  the  Numbers  of  the 
two  letters.  I  cannot  recalect  for  sertan.  I  wil  omit  in 
closeing  C.  B.  letter  to  me  at  this  time,  as  his  Brother 
may  be  hear.  I  may  possably  wish  to  let  him  sea  it.  If 
you  dont  come  soon  I  will  send  by  another  oppertunity. 


FROM  SARAH  BARRELL. 

Sunday  Afternoon,  five  o'clock. 

Instead  of  going  to  church  this  afternoon  I  have  sat 
down  to  write  my  long  absent  friends,  whose  presence  is 
necessary  to  make  my  life  happy.  I  mourn  our  peculiar 
fate;  mine  and  yours,  my  dear  Brother,  has  been  something 
similar.  Early  in  life  are  we  made  acquainted  with  sorrow. 
Now  my  dear  Sammy  can  you  really  pity  your  Sally;  your 
own  loss  tells  you  what  I  have  experienced,  and  shall  never 
forget.  I  heartily  mourn  with  you  on  the  death  of  your 


208  FAMILY     LETTERS 

beloved  Betsey.  She  was  soon  torn  from  your  arms,  and 
not  one  comfort  left;  which  was  not  my  case.  I  had  two 
pledges  of  our  mutual  affection;  they  both  bid  fair  to  be 
an  ornament  to  me  and  friends.  Two  other  sweet  girls  I 
had;  the  fairest  is  gone  in  a  moment  as  it  were;  a  more 
beautiful  babe  never  saw  the  light.  May  I  not  repine  but 
adore  the  hand  that  did  it,  and  say  thy  will  be  done. 

Mr.  Barrel  and  myself  are  both  disappointed  that  you 
did  not  according  to  promis  pay  us  a  visit  before  you 
joined  the  Army.  I  am  sorry  that  your  health  is  impaired. 
Pray  take  good  care  of  yourself,  and  dont  give  way  too 
much  to  grief.  Remember  that  you  are  young  and  that 
time  will  soften  your  sorrows.  I  know  this  by  experience. 
You  must  be  sensible  that  I  was  extremely  happy  in  my 
first  partner,  yet  I  consented  to  take  another.  Still  I  love 
ardently  and  well  remember  past  happy  days,  too  happy 
was  it  for  a  long  duration,  and  we  have  great  hopes  that 
we  shall  in  a  few  years  bid  adieu  to  time  and  join  our  de 
parted  friends  never  more  to  separate.  This  thought,  my 
dear  friend,  will  support  us  through  every  trouble. 

Write  me  as  frequent  as  you  can.  I  long  to  have  a  letter 
from  your  own  hand.  I  should  long  ere  this  have  wrote 
you,  but  a  very  sick  family  has  taken  up  all  my  attention. 
My  thoughts  are  ever  with  you,  and  my  prayers  for  your 
happiness  is  frequent.  This  day  I  have  been  reading  your 
letters  to  me  and  can  assure  you  they  afforded  me  a  sincere 
pleasure,  for  in  every  line  was  seen  the  tender  brother, 
the  sincere  friend,  and  such  may  I  ever  find  you.  I  pass 
my  time  as  agreeably  as  I  can  when  absent  from  so  many 
friends.  We  ride  almost  every  day  and  have  an  agreeable 
party.  I  wish  that  my  dear  Hetty  and  you  were  both  here 
to  partake  with  us.  Yesterday  in  company  with  Mr. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        209 

Babcock,  Mrs.  Hubbard,  and  Berty  Hubbard,  we  rode  to 
Jamaica  plains,  where  your  friend  [David]  Henly  1  resides 
with  his  fair  partner.  At  present  they  appear  to  be  very 
happy.  I  wish  it  may  end  only  with  their  lives.  Church 
is  out  and  Mr.  Barrell  returned,  which  causes  me  to  lay 
aside  my  pen;  but  I  will  in  future  write  oftener.  Mr.  B. 
joins  me  [in]  best  wishes  for  your  health  and  happiness. 
Adieu,  my  friend  and  brother,  and  believe  that  I  remain 
your  most  affectionate  sister, 

SARAH  BARRELL. 

June  18  [1782.] 


FROM  EBENEZER  HUNTINGTON. 

WETH.,  2Oth  June,  1782. 
Dear  Webb: 

By  Doctor  Ellis  I  was  favored  with  yours  of  the  loth 
June  with  one  enclosed  for  Mrs.  Bancker,  which  I  sent  her 
that  evening  I  received  it.  I  am  very  unhappy  that  the 
recruits  which  have  been  sent  on  have  been  so  bad  as  to 
have  so  great  a  number  rejected  as  you  mention.  There 
has  been  greater  neglect  in  some  of  the  Mustering  Officers 
I  suspect  than  in  myself.  Since  I  have  introduced  the 
subject  of  musters  I  would  wish  to  suggest  one  thing  which 
the  Assembly  did  before  they  adjourned,  which  was  this, 
that  in  all  instances  where  any  recruits  have  been  mustered 
out  by  the  mustering  officer  sent  from  camp  for  that  pur 
pose  for  want  of  size,  they  shall  be  remustered  by  the 
Colonels  of  Militia  regiments;  and  if  they  shall  appear  to 
them  to  be  fit  for  the  duties  of  a  soldier,  except  in  wanting 
size,  they  are  to  be  sent  into  the  State  regiments,  or  to  one 

1  He  had  retired  from  service  in  April,  1779. 


2IO  FAMILY     LETTERS 

of  the  State  Guards,  and  the  class  shall  be  exempt  from 
all  fines  or  other  penalties  arising  from  such  mustering  out. 
The  consequence  will  be  this:  they  will  be  sent  to  Horse- 
neck,  and  on  any  requisition  to  this  State  for  men,  that 
regiment  will  be  ordered  to  join  the  Line,  in  lieu  of  other 
men;  that  in  fact  they  will  answer  every  purpose  to  the 
State  as  if  they  joined  the  line.  Had  directions  been  sent 
to  the  mustering  officers  to  be  more  particular  in  their 
musters,  and  broke  one  or  two  of  us  who  had  been  neglect 
ful  in  our  duty,  the  purposes  would  have  been  answered, 
as  the  Assembly  would  have  not  then  taken  it  up;  but 
they  took  it  up  with  such  spirit  as  to  have  nearly  a  vote  for 
enabling  the  Colonels  of  Militia  in  all  instances  to  muster 
the  recruits  and  to  prohibit  any  musters  by  us  in  any 
instance  whatever.  Since  receiving  those  instructions  I 
have  mustered  out  those  who  have  served  two  campaigns 
in  the  Connecticut  Line,  and  one  of  those  a  very  good  lad 
who  was  five  feet  five  inches  high,  well  made,  and  in  my 
opinion  a  good  soldier. 

By  a  letter  from  Capt.  Williams  to  Mr.  Burnham  I  am 
informed  that  you  gave  him  some  encouragement  for  an 
ensigncy.  If  you  intend  he  shall  have  it  the  sooner  the 
better.  By  an  agreement  among  the  Commanding  Officers 
of  Regiments  last  winter  it  will  be  necessary  that  a  majority 
of  them  be  united  in  such  recommendation.  Will  it  not 
be  best  to  recommend  Sergt.  Maj.  White  :  at  the  same  time? 
I  only  suggest  the  matter  to  you  to  think  of;  you  will  best 
judge  whether  your  regiment  stands  in  need  of  any  more 
officers.  The  Governor  and  Council  have  filled  the  va 
cancies  recommended  last  winter  by  Gen.  Parsons.  I  have 


1  Jonathan  W.  White,  sergeant  major  in  Captain  Bulkley's  company. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        211 

given  Grosvenor  1  the  command  of  Durkee's  regiment,  and 
promoted  Capt.  Warner2  to  be  Major  of  the  same;  the 
other  vacancies  are  not  filled,  as  Gen.  Huntington  did  not 
know  who  were  entitled  to  promotion  among  the  subalterns. 
I  think  in  the  same  recommendation  for  filling  of  vacancies 
that  of  new  appointed  officers  ought  to  be  subjoined.  I 
hear  that  Cols.  [John]  Greaton,  [Heman]  Swift,  and  three 
other  Colonels  are  promoted  to  be  Brigadier.3  If  so  it  will 
make  a  regiment  vacant  for  Lt.  Colonel  Johnson,4  and  an 
other  captain  to  be  promoted. 

Your  brother  Joseph  and  Lady,  Sister  Hetty,  Mr.  Mer- 
rils  and  Mr.  S.  Chester,  set  out  for  Boston  last  Saturday 
by  the  way  of  Norwich,  where  they  proposed  keeping  the 
day  of  our  Lord.  I  expect  to  get  time  to  be  at  Norwich 
a  day  or  two  before  I  go  to  Camp,  but  at  present  it  is 
uncertain. 

The  wafers  you  mention  I  will  endeavor  to  procure  and 
bring  to  camp  with  me,  which  will  not  be  long;  first,  from 
the  best  information  I  can  obtain  from  the  different  mus 
tering  officers,  and  from  my  knowledge  of  this  county,  I 
think  you  may  not  expect  more  than  500  men  from  this 
State,  as  the  Assembly  have  affixed  a  penalty  of  non- 
compliance  to  the  act  for  filling  up  the  Line  of  50  Dollars 
only,  which  is  less  than  has  been  given  in  many  instances 
for  bountys;  and  whenever  the  penalty  is  less  than  the 

1  Thomas  Grosvenor,  of  Pomfret,  Inspector  with  rank  of  lieutenant 
colonel,  until  promoted  to  command  the  1st  Regiment. 

2  Robert  Warner,  of  Middletown. 

3  Greaton,  Rufus  Putnam,  and  Elias  Dayton  were  made  brigadier 
generals  January  7,  1783.    The  only  promotion  of  this  nature  made  in 
1782  was  that  of  Otho  H.  Williams,  May  9. 

4  Jonathan  Johnson,  of  Middletown,  in  Col.  Reman"  Swift's   regi 
ment. 


212  FAMILY     LETTERS 

bounty  to  be  given,  you  may  rely  on  it  they  will  spare  the 
purse  if  they  damn  the  Country;  besides,  they  save  them 
selves  the  trouble  of  looking  for  soldiers.  As  the  women 
appear  to  be  more  zealous  for  recruiting  and  keeping  up 
the  army  than  the  men,  I  have  proposed  to  some  of  my 
friends  that  the  classes  should  have  the  liberty  to  hire 
women,  and  that  I  will  not  be  so  strict  as  to  their  measure, 
as  I  am  sure  in  the  present  distressed  situation  of  the  Army 
a  court  martial  could  not  be  convened  who  would  censure 
me;  tho'  at  the  same  time  I  would  recommend  that  tall 
girls  be  procured  that  the  offspring  may  be  five  feet  six 
inches  high.  I  have  tired  your  patience  and  will  close 
with  compliments  to  my  friends  with  you.  Yours, 

EBEN.  HUNTINGTON. 


FROM  THOMAS  FREDERICK  JACKSON. l 

FISH  KILL,  June  27,  1782. 
Sir: 

I  informed  his  Lordship  this  morning  of  the  representa 
tion  made  by  Majors  Willis  and  Throop  from  you  respect 
ing  the  ground  assigned  for  the  encampment  of  the  Con 
necticut  Line.  His  Lordship  desired  me  to  acquaint  you 
that  it  will  be  impossible  for  him  to  see  General  Heath 
until  Sunday  next;  and  that  he  shall  be  glad  to  meet  you 
at  Mr.  Mandeville's  about  10  o'clock  on  that  day,  to  obtain 
such  information  of  the  circumstances  of  the  troops  under 
your  command  as  may  be  necessary  to  represent  to  Gen- 


1  He  was  from  Connecticut,  but  his  name  does  not  appear  in  the 
rosters.  He  served  as  aide  de  camp  to  Lord  Stirling  from  July,  1781, 
to  January,  1783. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        213 

eral  Heath.     I  am,  Sir,  with  respect  Your  most  obedient 
humble  servant, 

THOS.  FREDK  JACKSON, 

Aid  de  Camp. 

Addressed:  Colonel  Saml.  B.Webb.     Commanding  the  Connecticut 
Line,  Highlands. 


FROM  WILLIAM  HEATH. 
j)ear  s;r:  HIGHLANDS,  June  29th,  1782. 

Your  favor  of  this  date  covering  several  certificates  is 
handed  to  me.  Enclosed  you  will  find  them  returned  with 
discharges  for  the  several  soldiers  therein  named.  Please 
deliver  them  as  their  times  of  service  respectively  expire. 
The  other  soldiers  you  mention,  whose  times  of  service 
expire  between  this  and  the  25th  of  July,  may  render 
service;  your  resolution  respecting  them  is  a  good  one. 

I  am  with  great  regard,  Dear  Sir,  Your  obedient  servant, 

W.  HEATH. 


FROM  SARAH  BANCKER. 
WETHERSFIELD,  Fryday  morning,  July  5th,  1782. 

Your  letters  12  and  13  was  handed  me  last  evening  with 
two  bundels;  they  shal  be  takeing  care  of;  the  Tea  is  very 
good.  I  thank  you  for  it,  and  for  every  other  attention 
and  tenderness  showen  me.  If  Providence  puts  more  in 
my  power  than  a  greitfull  heart,  you  my  freind  may  clame 
it;  not  only  be  caus  you  merrit  it,  but  for  my  Betsey  sake. 
She  maid  you  her  choyce,  her  husband,  and  her  friend; 
indearing  titles  but  of  short  duration.  Death,  crual 
Death  justly  caled  the  distroyer  of  human  happyness 


214  FAMILY     LETTERS 

robed  you  of  it.  Your  brother  and  sister  is  this  moment 
returned  from  Boston.  I'll  go  down  and  sea  them;  per 
haps  they  have  brought  what  we  have  long  wished  to  sea. 

I  again  resume  my  pen  to  tell  you  I  have  received  the 
Eliza  from  Mr.  Gary,  witch  Doct.  Cutting  wrote.  It  is 
Beautyfully  don.  He  had  drawn  a  lively  portrait  and 
seams  to  have  felth  the  forse  of  what  he  wrote.  I'll  in 
close  it  for  you.  The  bitter  anguis  of  my  sole  oblidgis  me 
to  quit  writing  for  the  present;  when  I  have  recovered  a 
littel  I'll  take  up  my  pen  a  gain. 

Justly  doath  the  Scripture  place  sutch  triels  a  mong  the 
greitest  of  earthly  sorrows  as  we  read  Jer:  6:  26.  O  Daugh 
ter  of  my  people,  gerd  the  with  sackcloth  and  wallow  thy 
self  in  ashes;  make  the  mourning  as  for  an  only  son,  most 
bitter  lamentation.  So  greit  is  this  grief  that  the  Holy 
Ghost  borrows  it  to  express  the  deepest  speritual  troubles 
Zach.  12:  10:  thay  shal  mourn  for  him  as  one  mourneth 
for  an  only  son,  To  be  a  widow  exposed  to  oppression  and 
contempt  was  not  all  I  had  to  sustain;  there  was  yet  a 
juil  in  my  poss[ess]ion  that  mollified  and  poured  oyle  in 
my  wounds,  was  to  be  takeing  from  me.  That  is  now 
don;  that  God  hew  gave  it  and  hews  rite  I  cant  dispute 
has  don  it.  Dont  think  my  friend  I  sorrow  as  the  Heathen 
do,  that  are  ignorant  of  the  grand  relief  by  the  Resurrec 
tion,  No,  I  trust  when  mortality  shal  put  on  immortality 
I  shall  sea  her  shine  with  double  luster  and  shear  with 
the  joys  of  heaven.  To  be  free  from  sin  in  sorrow  is  diffi- 
calt,  but  when  we  put  on  glorified  bodys  sin  and  sorrow 
will  be  don  a  way. 

Monday  morning.  Your  brother  and  sister  have  had  a 
very  pleasant  jaunt,  but  have  left  your  sister  Hetty  not  as 
well  as  when  she  left  Wethersfield.  I  wish  it  may  only  be 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        215 

the  affects  of  the  jurny.  I  observe  all  the  contents  of  your 
letter;  but  in  hopes  of  seaing  you  in  a  few  days  will  omit 
being  porticklar,  only  that  if  you  should  write  my  brother 
Duyckinck  before  you  leave  Camp,  I  would  wish  you  to 
coppy  the  lines  Doct.  Cutting  wrote,  and  in  close  them  to 
him  and  can  let  him  know  the  estate  was  regarly  conveyed 
by  my  dear  child.  You  desired  to  know  in  a  letter  to  your 
brother  Jack  weather  the  hay  on  the  home  lot  was  cut  for 
you.  Phillip  some  time  before  he  went  to  Boston  askt 
Mr.  Dean  hew  was  to  take  care  of  it;  he  told  him  if  he  staid 
tel  it  was  fit  to  cut  that  he  would  have  it  don;  but  if  he 
whent  to  Hartford  before  that  time  Phillip  should  have  it 
don  for  you.  He  has  staid  and  has  had  it  don,  and  I 
believe  for  him  selfe;  I  sepose  you  hav  sean  before  this  by 
the  News  Papers  that  the  Assembly  of  this  State  have 
passed  a  law  that  any  person  presed  by  law  for  depts  due 
may  pay  them  in  Soldgers  notes  or  any  produce  they  have 
(haveing  it  apprised).  I  am  told  Boston  has  don  sumthing 
simmelar  to  it,  and  no  doubt  the  other  states  will  follow 
the  exsample,  so  that  monny  will  be  out  of  the  question. 
All  your  friends  hear  desire  to  be  affectionately  remembered 
to  you,  and  please  to  except  with  them  every  tender  wish 
of  a  mothers  heart  for  your  helth  and  happyness. 

SARAH  BANCKER. 

The  lines  are  coppyed  by  Harris.     Should  there  be  any 
error  in  writeing  it  may  be  his. 


FROM  ROBERT  MAGAW. 

o-    .  CARLISLE,  I4th  July,  1782. 

Some  time  ago  Coll.  Ephraim  Blaine  presented  you  an 
Order  from  Rutgert  Van  Brunt,  Esquire,  of  Long  Island, 


2l6  FAMILY     LETTERS 

for  £50  New  York  currency  on  you  in  my  favour,  being  the 
Ballance  of  the  pair  of  Black  Horses  you  purchased  of  him. 
Coll.  Elaine  informed  me  he  met  you  at  Camp  where  it 
was  not  convenient  for  you  to  pay  it,  but  that  you  promised 
to  discharge  the  sum  when  afterwards  called  upon. 

I  took  the  Order  as  Cash,  and  now  request  you'll  pay 
the  sum  of  Fifty  pounds  New  York  Currency  to  Capt. 
Daniel  Parker,  whose  receipt  shall  be  your  discharge  for 
the  same. 

I  am,  Dear  Sir,  with  great  Respect  your  most  Humble 
servant, 

ROBT.  MAGAW. 


FROM  SARAH  BANCKER. 

WETHERSFIELD,  July  21  st,  1782. 

Colo.  Huntington  sets  of  for  Camp  to  morrow  morning, 
in  hopes  of  seaing  you.  I  have  left  writeing  to  the  last 
moment,  and  now  have  only  time  to  ask  you  how  you  do 
and  what  has  dissapinted  your  being  here.  Take  it  for 
granted  you  was  determed  on  coming,  as  I  heard  of  Mr. 
Lockwod  reseving  a  letter  from  Camp,  wrote  on,  honnord 
by  Col.  Webb.  Capt.  Woster  hew  left  Camp  very  latly 
was  in  this  town  a  few  days  ago  said  he  had  letters  from 
you  for  the  fammely,  but  he  had  left  them  at  New  Haven. 
Possebly  you  might  have  acquanted  us  by  them  what 
detained  you.  I  am  glad  your  fatuging  Cort  is  over,  wish 
you  may  not  be  troubeled  with  a  nother  very  soon.  Capt. 
Webb  has  spent  some  days  with  me;  he  is  just  set  of  for 
Worthington  with  a  bad  sweled  face.  I  dont  think  he  has 
looked  well  for  some  time  past.  The  rest  of  your  friends 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        217 

here  are  well  as  usal,  and  desire  to  be  remembered  to  you. 
Except  my  best  wishes  and  belive  me  to  be  with  unfained 
regard  your  mother, 

SARAH  BANCKER. 

Addressed:  Col.  Samuel  B.Webb,  Camp.  Hon'd  by  Col.  Huntington 


FROM  SARAH  BANCKER. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Monday,  Aug.  26,  1782. 

I  wrote  you  yesterday  by  the  post.  Hop  it  will  be  with 
you  before  this  reaches  you,  giveing  you  some  account  of 
your  brother's  misfortune.  I  wrote  in  a  great  hurry,  scarsly 
know  what  I  did  write.  Shal  be  sorry  if  it  should  not  git 
saft  to  your  hands.  Pray  let  me  hear  by  the  first  opper- 
tunity,  and  if  you  should  be  going  in  any  dangerous  situa 
tion,'  do  not  let  my  letters  run  the  risk  of  falling  in  other 
hands.  You  know  thay  are  not  corect  anough  for  an  im- 
parshal  eye.  I  found  your  pistols  and  the  lock  in  the  place 
you  mentioned;  but  the  screws  was  not  with  them,  nor 
could  I  find  then.  Thay  will  be  delivered  with  this  letter 
to  soldger  Welse,  hew  just  caled  on  me  to  let  me  [know]  he 
should  set  of  for  Camp  this  evenning.  Among  the  things 
on  board  the  flag  was  two  bundles  for  Mrs.  Smith,  contain 
ing  her  mothers  cloads,  sum  spice,  two  pounds  of  tea,  and 
one  doz.  handkerchifs,  witch  helpt  to  make  up  the  sum  I 
mentioned  in  my  former  letter.  Mr.  Smith  went  to  Sea 
Brook  upon  hearing  of  the  seizsor,  and  thay  delivered  up  his 
things  to  him.  Had  not  Mr.  Webb  so  uncommon  a  dis- 
psison  to  please  and  serve  other  people  he  would  not  have 
bin  in  this  hobble.1  Harris  has  bin  down  there  to  bring  a 

1  Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals,  II,  409,  421. 


2l8  FAMILY     LETTERS 

horse  your  brother  rode  up.  He  returned  last  evenning, 
and  with  som  difficalty  got  from  them  a  coppy  of  the  list 
or  invoice  of  the  things.  I  saw  it  at  Mr.  Webb's,  and  find 
their  is  two  whole  peaces  of  linnen  that  was  sent  to  a  Mrs. 
Stors  of  Boston,  and  a  box  of  magazines  and  other  triffeling 
books  for  the  same  person,  witch  is  all  that  has  the  least 
a  perenc  of  merchandise.  Not  opining  the  diferent  little 
pacages  he  could  not  know  what  they  contained.  I  think 
it  is  crual  to  aske  a  friend  to  bring  anything  out  when  they 
must  risk  their  one  reputation.  I  am  sorry  it  has  hapened, 
but  you  must  make  the  best  of  it.  We  are  in  hopes  he  will 
save  the  vessel  and  possably  the  things  too.  He  has  bin 
to  the  Governor  and  Counsal,  and  by  what  I  can  lern  thay 
seam  rather  disposed  to  favour  him,  looking  a  pon  it  as  a 
trifiling  affair;  but  you  had  best  not  mention  that  surcom- 
stance.  I  shal  have  an  other  oppertunity  by  Mr.  Carry 
to  write  you,  when  I  will  write  to  Jerseys  also;  at  present 
I  cant.  God  Bless  you,  and  beleve  me  to  be  with  unalter 
able  affection  your  mother, 

SARAH  BANCKER. 

Addressed:    Col.   Samuel   B.  Webb.   In  the  Light  Infantry,   near 
Head  Quarters,  Camp. 


FROM  THOMAS  COGSWELL. 
o-   .  NEWBURGH,  2oth  August,  1782. 

The  bearer  hereof,  Mr.  William  Skeels,  will  attend  as  a 
conductor  of  teams  to  the  corps  under  your  command.  I 
have  wrote  to  Maj.  Campbell  A.  D.  Q.  M.  at  the  village 
to  furnish  him  with  teams  and  four  close  covered  waggons. 
Coll.  Jackson  will  take  his  own  waggon.  The  one  for  the 
amunition  I  shall  send  from  here  with  horses  and  driver 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        219 

complete;  but  they  wont  be  able  to  be  with  you  till  the 
day  after  tomorrow. 

I  am,  Sir,  Your  humble  servant, 

THOMAS  COGSWELL, 

W.  M.  G. 

Addressed:    Colonel  Webb,  Commandant   of   the   light   Infantry, 
Peeks  Kill.     Per  Mr.  Skeels. 


FROM  EDWARD  HAND. 
HEAD  QUARTERS,  VERPLANK'S  POINT,  August  31,  1782. 

The  Light  Infantry  are  to  advance  in  front  of  the  Army 
and  take  the  best  ground  at  or  near  the  forke  of  the  road 
leading  to  this  place  and  Peekskill.  They  will  keep  out 
proper  pickets  and  small  scouts  to  patrol  as  far  as  Croton, 
independent  of  the  battalion  on  the  lines. 
Extract  from  general  orders. 

EDWD.  HAND,  Adjt.  Gn. 

B.[rigade]  Orders.  The  Qr.  Masters  with  one  man  from 
each  Regiment  will  repair  to  the  fork  of  the  road  leading 
to  Verplanks  point  and  Peeks  Kill  tomorrow  morning  by 
seven  o'clock. 

Addressed:  To  Colonel  Webb,  the  Light  Infantry,  Peekskill. 
Public  Service. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

BEDFORD,  Monday,  2  Sept.,  1782. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  am  just  ordered  to  send  one  of  my  best  men  to  Head 
Quarters,  by  him  had  I  time  I  would  answer  your  letters. 


22O  FAMILY     LETTERS 

I  am  very  unhappy  to  hear  of  our  brothers  misfortune, 
and  could  have  wished  that  he  had  taken  your  advice.  Not 
one  line  have  I  received  from  any  one  of  my  friends  since 
I  left  them.  If  you  write  them  please  to  remember  me  to 
them.  I  was  pleased  by  hearing  that  you  had  the  command 
of  the  Lt.  Infantry,  and  should  have  been  happy  was  there 
a  prospect  of  an  active  campaign;  tho'  if  it  brings  peace 
God,  who  knows  my  heart,  knows  that  I  would  give  up 
every  private  emolument  which  might  fall  to  my  lott  for 
that  inestable  blessing.  I  feel  anxious  my  friend  about  the 
mony  I  owe  to  L—  — .  Let  me  request  you  to  send  Richard 
over  to  Col.  H—  -  for  the  ballance  of  his  account.  If 
its  inconvenient  write  me,  and  I  will  obtain  leave  to  go. 
If  our  friend  Capt.  Buckly  should  have  collected  my  note, 
do  take  up  my  receipt.  Is  there  any  commissioners  of 
accounts  with  the  Army?  I  promised  myself  the  happiness 
of  seeing  you  before  this,  but  we  move  from  here  tomorrow 
and  god  only  knows  where.  Continue,  if  time  and  duty 
permit,  to  continue  your  friendly  letters;  you  must  not 
deny  me  that  happiness.  Without  any  compliment  they 
afford  me  more  real  pleasure  than  any  one  thing  under 
heaven.  This  Dragoon  is  ordered  off  immediately.  And 
may  the  best  of  heavens  blessings  attend  you  is  the  wish 
of  one  who  sincerely  esteems  you.  My  compliments 
please  to  remember  to  all  friends. 

JNO.  WEBB. 

P.  S.    Excuse  this  scrall. 

Addressed:  Col.  Saml.  B.  Webb.  Commanding  the  first  Regiment 
of  the  Infantry,  Camp.  Per  Dragoon. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        221 

FROM  DAVID  SMITH.1 

QUARTERS  NEAR  PINESBRIDGE,  Sept.  7th,  1782. 
Dear  Colonel: 

Lieut.  Mansfield 2  returned  last  evening  from  a  tour 
down  towards  Kingsbridge.  He  lay  one  day  within  two 
miles  of  the  bridge,  concealed  his  party  with  a  view  of 
interupting  some  of  the  enemy's  small  parties,  but  could 
not  get  sight  of  them. 

By  an  inhabitant  which  he  took  up  he  was  informed  that 
the  enemy  were  seldom  on  this  side  the  bridge,  and  then 
in  parties  of  three  or  four  hundred  strong.  That  the  in 
habitants  and  Army  were  much  distressed  for  water,  the 
drought  being  very  severe  there.  A  new  Camp  was  form 
ing  on  the  heights  south  of  Harleam  plain,  extending  from 
river  to  river.  The  paper  of  the  4th  instant  is  the  only 
one  I  have  been  able  to  obtain.  I  am,  dear  Col.,  Your 
humble  servant,  D.  SMITH. 

Addressed:  Colonel  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Commanding  the  Lt.  Infantry. 


GULIAN    VERPLANCK3   TO    MRS.    BANCKER. 

FISHKILL,  September  29th,  1782. 

From  the  conversation  I  had  with  Col.  Webb  in  the  spring 
of  the  year  respecting  your  late  husband's  bond,  I  was  in- 

1  Major  in  Lieut.  Col.  Isaac  Sherman's  regiment,  but  now  with  the 
Light  Infantry  under  Webb.     He  had  been  Inspector  in  the  Con 
necticut  line. 

2  John    Mansfield,    of    Wallingford,    lieutenant    in    Col.    Zebulon 
Butler's  regiment. 

3  Gulian  Verplanck   had   represented  New  York   City  in   the  As 
sembly,  1788-1797,  and  for  almost  the  whole  term  of  service  he  was 
Speaker  of  that  body. 


222  FAMILY     LETTERS 

duced  to  flatter  myself  with  the  hopes  of  some  assistance. 
Since  then  I  have  not  heard  from  him.  It  is  by  no  means 
my  wish  to  put  you  to  any  difficulty,  but  the  necessity  I 
am  under  of  discharging  such  debts  as  I  have  been  obliged 
to  contract  compels  me  to  request  some  assistance  from 
you. 

I  am  with  respect,  Your  humble  servant, 

GULIAN  VERPLANCK. 

Addressed:  Mrs.  Bancker,  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Joseph  Webb,  Wethers- 
field. 


FROM  JOHN  DUYCKINCK. 

NORTH  BRANCH,  the  29  September,  1782. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

Yours  of  the  26th  instant  I  have  before  me,  and  be  very 
glad  to  find  you  and  my  sisters  in  good  helth.  I  entended 
seting  out  for  Wheathersfield  the  last  of  this  month,  but 
bisness  at  the  present  so  surcomstance,  dont  think  it  pru- 
dant  to  leave  home.  As  soon  as  a  vacancy  serves  you  may 
depend  I  will  set  out  for  Wheathersfield,  and  if  I  can  find 
you  be  at  camp  will  see  you  ther.  I  have  made  some  en 
quiry  about  the  debt  due  from  the  gentelman  mentioned, 
and  from  what  I  can  find  out  the  money  is  safe.  Exspect 
to  hear  more  particularly  soon.  Since  my  last  to  you  we 
have  don  little  to  the  mills,  want  of  Whether  bords  and 
nobs;  those  artacles  I  expect  to  have  soon,  shall  then  make 
a  finish  of  the  mills.  The  milling  bisness  is  but  dul,  the 
season  so  dry  that  few  of  the  mills  can  do  anything.  The 
fulling  mill  has  not  gone  sence  June;  is  now  in  good  order 
and  beleave  will  do  bisness  when  ever  waughter  comes. 
Was  it  not  for  the  stills  I  should  make  but  a  dull  hand.  The 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        223 

stills  is  dowing  good  bisness,  or  at  least  for  so  trifeling  a 
calling.  The  stills  makes  40  to  50  glls.  good  speerts  every 
day.  Wish  I  could  make  sale  for  a  few  Hog[shead]s.  The 
prette  lines  on  the  deth  of  our  once  dea  Eliza  I  acknoleg, 
which  I  have  delivered  to  Mrs.  Duyckinck  and  daughters. 
You  mention  you  think  the  close  of  the  winter  the  horrows 
of  war  will  cease,  which  God  grant  may  be  the  case.  I 
rest,  Dear  Sir,  with  Mrs.  Duyckinck,  mother,  and  little  ones 
joining  with  me  in  our  seancear  love  to  you  and  sisters, 
who  I  wish  to  see  son,  and  our  complament  to  all  our  friends 
and  am,  Dear  sir,  your  affection  friend  and  H.  Servt., 

JNO.  DUYCKINCK. 

N.  B.  3  days  sence  I  sold  the  hors  of  William.  I  mean 
the  hors  Ferdinand  for  £70  to  Azarck  Dunham  paable  3 
monts. 

Addressed:    Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  the  3  Connecticut  Regiment. 


FROM  SARAH  BANCKER. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Oct.  5,  1782. 

A  very  bad  head  ake  prevents  my  writeing  you  by  this 
oppertunity  more  then  just  to  tel  you  I  receved  your  kind 
favour  by  Sergen  [Benjamin]  Dix,  and  am  glad  there  is  a 
prospect  of  the  Britches  [British]  leveing  New  York.  Mr. 
Brom  received  a  letter  from  Long  Island  yester  Day  ac 
quainting  him  that  they  have  left  Loyds  Neck,  and  that 
the  regelar  trups  where  going  to  the  Vestinde  [West  Indies], 
and  the  Heysons  [Hessians]  and  Lowelist  [Loyalist]  where 
to  defend  the  sitty.  This  last  I  do  not  belive.  You  wrot 
me  you  would  expect  a  very  surcomstansal  letter  from  me. 
I  would  be  more  pertecklar  but  I  rely  feel  so  sick  I  can 


224  FAMILY     LETTERS 

hardly  hold  the  pen  in  my  hand.  I  wrot  you  by  Capt. 
Rily  the  2  instant  make  no  doupt  you  have  receved  it. 
Should  we  be  so  fortunate  as  that  the  Britches  should  leave 
the  setty  it  is  likely  you  will  be  in  the  town  as  soon  as  any 
of  our  trups.  I  wish  you  would  render  every  service  to 
my  friend  you  can.  You  know  the  most  of  them.  The 
widow  Leake  I  wish  you  to  call  on  as  soon  as  you  git  there, 
and  portect  her  from  insult  if  it  is  in  your  power.1  Dont 
call  me  to  sangin,  I  am  not;  but  causon  is  good  betimes. 
I  wish  I  was  ther  before  they  left  the  place,  but  I  see  no 
prospect  of  giting  there.  I  have  wrote  more  than  I  thought 
I  should  when  I  began,  but  of  littel  consiquence.  Polly 
and  all  your  friends  joyn  me  in  love  to  you,  and  I  am  with 
mutch  regard  and  esteem  your  mother, 

SARAH  BANCKER. 

Addressed:    Colo.   Samuel  B.  Webb,  Light  Infantry  Camp,  near 
Head  Quarters. 


FROM  SARAH  BANCKER. 

WETHERSFIELD,  October  7,  1782. 

My  last  to  you  was  by  Sargt.  [Benjamin]  Dix;  sence 
witch  I  have  receved  none  from  you.  I  heard  Capt. 
[James]  Watson  was  going  to  Camp.  I  purpis  sending 
Phillip  with  this  to  him.  I  receved  yesterday  the  inclosed 
letter  from  Mr.  Verplanck.  I  have  also  inclosed  a  letter 

1  Robert  Leake,  of  the  County  of  Albany,  was  named  in  the  New 
York  act  of  attainder,  October  22,  1779.  One  of  the  same  name  died 
in  1774,  leaving  landed  estates  in  New  York  City,  Claverack,  Albany 
and  Tryon  Counties,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  on  the  Susquehannah, 
in  East  Florida  and  in  Durham  County,  England,  as  well  as  the  funds 
of  England.  His  widow  Ann  died  in  1784.  Two  sons,  Robert  William 
and  John  G.  Leake,  survived  the  father.  See  p.  229,  infra. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        22$ 

I  have  wrote  in  answer  to  him  for  your  pirrusal,  if  you 
think  it  will  do  I  beg  you  will  send  it  amediately,  if  not  I 
wish  you  would  write  him  as  he  may  think  it  a  neglect. 
I  am  very  uneasey.  I  do  not  know  how  we  shal  colect  the 
monny  to  pay  him  and  I  beleve  he  wants  it  or  he  would  not 
be  so  pressing.  If  it  was  in  my  power  to  git  it  on  intrist 
of  any  friend,  I  would  gladly  do  it,  tel  we  could  settel  the 
estate;  but  there  is  no  sutch  think  to  be  don  in  these  scarce 
times  of  monny.  Let  me  know  if  you  have  bin  able  to  write 
Walling  or  his  Eirs.  If  I  recolect  rite  I  told  you  that  they 
lived  in  Hardy  Town  [Hardiston],  Sussix  County.  If  you 
know  any  body  in  Goshon  that  you  could  derect  to  the 
care  of,  it  might  git  to  them.  I  would  wish  they  should 
cum  hear  to  settel  it.  If  you  write  to  them  as  you  do  not 
know  perhaps  how  the  debt  stands,  I  hope  my  dear  Col. 
Webb  it  wont  be  long  be  fore  you  can  leave  Camp  that  we 
may  determen  how  we  shal  settel  this  affair.  Affliction 
and  trouble  is  my  porsion  in  this  life.  I  have  had  a  verlant 
head  ake  for  several  days.  It  has  not  left  me  yet,  and  writ 
ing  makes  it  wors.  I  there  fore  must  conclude  my  letter 
for  the  present,  and  remain  with  affection  and  esteem  your 
mother, 

SARAH  BANCKER. 

Addressed:    Colo.   Samuel  B.  Webb,  Light  Infantry  Camp,  near 
Head  Quarters.     Favor  of  Capt.  Watson. 


FROM  SARAH  BANCKER. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Oct.  9,  1782. 

This  will  be  handed  you  by  Mr.  Van  Cortland  who  with 
G[erardus]  Beekman  has  spent  some  days  at  Mr.  Webb. 


226  FAMILY     LETTERS 

They  are  to  leve  this  tomorro  morning,  althoe  I  had  wrote 
but  two  days  be  fore  by  Capt.  Watson  who  intends  stoping 
at  camp  in  his  way  to  Philadelphia.  He  promised  to  de 
liver  them  to  you  him  self.  I  hope  he  will  not  fail  dowing 
it,  as  they  in  closed  a  letter  from  Mr.  Verplanck,  and  also 
one  I  wrote  him  in  answer,  witch  I  wished  you  to  se  before 
it  was  sent.  I  wish  to  God  that  affare  could  be  setteled.  I 
am  mutch  at  a  loss  how  we  shall  acomplish  it,  as  I  am  not 
able  to  receve  any  monny,  and  selling  the  mills  I  sea  no 
prospect  of  at  present.  I  wish  som  monnyed  man  would 
perchis  som  of  the  lotts  in  the  Great  Patten.  It  might  be 
better  to  them  then  puting  there  monny  in  tread,  as  they 
would  and  must  increas  in  wallu  at  the  close  of  the  war, 
and  there  could  be  some  reserved  besides.  Perhaps  you 
might  bring  it  about  with  Col.  Wardswort.  He  has,  I  am 
told,  baught  a  good  dele  of  land,  and  as  he  has  plenty  of 
cash  might  sea  an  advantage  in  it.  It  will  be  all  one  to 
you  witch  part  of  the  estate  you  have  left,  and  it  would 
red  my  mind  of  a  great  burdon.  Miss  Bull  is  with  us  on  a 
visit  for  some  days.  She  desires  her  compliments  to  you. 
I  am  better  in  helth  than  when  I  last  wrote  you,  thoe  in 
very  low  spirits,  and  heaven  only  knows  when  they  will  be 
better.  Your  friends  hear  are  all  in  helth,  and  with  Polly 
joyn  me  in  love  to  you.  I  am  with  love  and  affection  your 
mother, 

SARAH  BANCKER. 

Give  my  compl.  and  best  wishes  to  your  Brother  Jack. 

Addressed:    Colo.   Samuel  B.  Webb,   Commanding  the  Light  In 
fantry  of  the  American  Army,  near  Head  Quarters. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB      227 

FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 
TRIP  STREET,  [near  BEDFORD],  i8th  October,  1782. 

My  Dear  Brother: 

Within  two  or  three  days  I  have  wrote  you  two  letters, 
and  chiefly  on  the  subject  of  my  note.  I  thought  I  would 
once  more  write  you,  as  Major  Tallmadge  and  Doctr. 
Renfield  propose  breckfasting  with  you  tomorrow  morn 
ing.  I  sent  you  by  the  former  J^  Ib.  thread  No.  18,  also 
J4  thread  No.  16;  the  first  cost  6/  and  the  latter  J/  New 
York  currency;  also  twenty-three  yards  black  ribbin  which 
cost  1/3  pr.  Yd.  New  Y[ork]  Qurrency].  I  have  saved 
some  thread  for  Mrs.  B[ancker]  and  Mrs.  W[ebb],  Nos.  26 
and  30.  I  wish  you  to  write  me  what  things  you  wish  me 
to  get,  and  what  used  to  be  the  price  (in  former  times)  of 
a  piece  of  Blk.  ribbin;  also  what  used  to  be  the  prices  of  the 
things  you  write  me  to  purchase.  Casamer  can  be  pur 
chased  for  twenty  shillings  per  yd  N.  Y.  Cr.  Doctr.  Brun- 
son  had  an  eighty  dollar  note  paid  by  our  friend  Col. 
Wadsworth.  By  him  I  learnt  that  there  had  a  large  some 
of  mony  come  from  Philadelphia,  and  that  if  I  did  not  send 
soon  it  would  all  be  paid  out.  If  you  can  send  me  some 
mony  by  the  bearer  it  will  much  oblige  me.  It's  probable 
I  think  we  shall  not  continue  here  long;  therefore  would 
request  you  to  send  me  as  much  mony  as  you  can.  A 
letter  a  few  days  hence  to  Col.  U[dney]  Hay  I  think  will  be 
of  service.  If  you  write  I  request  you  will  let  Richard  go. 

Mr.  Beekman  wrote  me  that  he  should  be  happy  to  see 
me  previous  to  my  going  to  Wethersfield.  Should  you  see 
him  please  to  present  my  compliments  to  him  and  family, 
and  inform  him  that  I'll  wait  on  him  with  pleasure. 

You  mentioned  that  you  wished  (some  time  past)  that 


228  FAMILY     LETTERS 

you  could  send  a  letter  to  [blank].  I  can  send  one  I  think 
by  a  carefull  woman.  The  thread  if  you  do  not  want, 
you  may  do  with  it  as  you  please,  also  the  other  article. 

If  you  see  Col.  Wadsworth  I  wish  you  to  tell  him  that 
you  have  advised  me  to  sell  my  horse  for  fifty  guineas,  and 
if  he  can  sell  him  for  that  sum  you  wish  he  would. 

Please  to  present  my  [  ]  compliments  to  the  gentle 

men  with  you. 

I  am  yours  affectionately, 

j.w. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  Commanding  the  Lt.  Infantry  of 
the  American  Army.  Honord  by  Major  Tallmadge. 


FROM  SARAH  BANCKER. 

WETHERSFIELD,  October  27th,  1782. 

I  had  the  pleasure  yesterday  of  receiving  two  letters 
from  you  N.  21  and  22,  and  observe  your  cair  and  atention 
to  me;  beg  you  will  not  make  your  self  uneasy.  I  nead 
but  littel,  and  that  I  doubt  not  I  shall  git.  Hay  and  wood 
will  be  most  difficul;  their  is  none  got  yet.  I  fear  hay  will 
be  dear  in  perticular,  if  the  French  army  quarters  near 
this.  Your  littel  colt  is  hear;  it  is  small,  but  a  beautiful 
well  made  horse.  Phillip  rides  him  and  is  very  mutch 
pleased  with  him.  He  is  shure  the  Colo,  will  not  sel  him 
when  he  comes  to  sea  him;  but  as  he  is  so  small  I  think  he 
will  only  be  an  expence  to  you.  I  would  advise  you  to 
sel  him  or  ship  him  of,  if  an  oppertunity  offers.  He  may 
fetch  a  good  price  of  some  jentelman  for  his  son  to  ride. 
Butter  I  fear  will  not  be  to  be  had;  the  drouth  has  made 
that  artickal  very  scarce.  I  am  sorry  there  is  a  prospect 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        229 

of  your  being  detained  at  camp  so  long.  I  had  flattered 
myself  with  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  soon,  and  still  hope 
it  may  be  sooner  than  you  think.  All  your  friends  wish  to 
see  you,  and  none  more  sencearly  than  I  do.  I  am  sorry 
Cr.  Bancker  behaves  so  foolish  as  to  his  grandfather; 
leaving  my  husband's  estate  to  him  in  case  of  death  is  Idel 
in  deade.  He  left  his  estate  between  his  four  sons  to  be 
equally  devided  be  twen  them  without  reserve,  and  my 
husband  and  his  brothers  devided  and  passed  deeds.1  I 
have  no  uneasiness  on  that  score.  If  I  am  not  mistakeing 
I  have  the  old  jintelmans  will  by  me;  if  not,  it  is  recorded 
and  can  be  seen  for  a  few  shillings.  I  cant  recolect  any 
papers  neadfull  but  what  I  have  got.  I  wish  there  was  a 
good  offer  for  some  of  it;  we  might  soon  show  him  whose 
title  was  best.  If  yours  is  good,  witch  I  hope  is  the  case, 
their  is  no  danger.  Their  seams  some  prospect  of  my 
brother  paying  us  a  visit.  I  hope  his  calling  on  you  at 
camp  may  give  no  uneaseness,  as  they  looked  on  him  with 
suspicion.  I  shal  be  very  glad  to  sea  him;  he  has  a  good 
hart.  The  day  you  mention  that  made  my  lovely  Betsy 
yours  did  not  pas  unnoticed  by  me,  nor  is  it  possable  any 
day  should.  My  child  is  never  out  of  my  thoughts;  her 
Heavenly  voice  is  ever  sounding  in  my  ears,  and  her  sweet 
immage  ever  before  me --the  idea  and  impreson  I  wish 
to  retain  wile  I  live.  It  is  all  my  consolation  tel  I  meet  her 

1  Christopher  Bancker,  father-in-law  of  Mrs.  Bancker,  was  a  prom 
inent  merchant  and  magistrate  in  New  York  city,  residing  on  the  north 
west  corner  of  Wall  and  William  Streets,  and  owning  real  estate  in 
other  parts  of  the  city.  He  died  April  13,  1763,  in  his  sixty-eighth 
year.  Five  sons  were  named  in  the  will  —  Evert,  Adrian,  Richard, 
Christopher  and  William  —  but  Christopher  died  before  his  father. 
The  widow  of  Christopher.  Jr.  married  again,  Robert  Leake,  com 
missary  general.  See  p.  224,  supra. 


23O  FAMILY     LETTERS 

again.  Was  I  as  free  from  senn  as  I  thought  her,  I  should 
wish  this  was  the  day  that  I  was  to  remove  me  where  she 
is.  I  should  then  sorrow  no  more;  but  Heavens  will  must 
be  don.  Sally  Chester  was  marryed  last  Wensday  eight 
days.  I  had  a  very  polite  invitation  to  see  the  weading, 
but  excused  myself.  Polly  whent.  They  spent  a  very 
agreable  evening  and  past  the  next  day  and  evenning  at 
your  Brother's.  I  am  told  they  wished  often  for  you. 
Least  they  should  think  I  did  not  pay  proper  atention  to 
their  politeness,  I  gave  them  an  invitation  the  next  week 
to  spend  an  evenning  with  me,  witch  they  did,  and  seamed 
mutch  pleased.  Miss  Bull  was  hear  at  the  time,  staid  a 
forthnite.  I  have  not  sean  Robbens  sence  you  left  us. 
I  am  not  out  of  money.  Now  I  think  I  have  wrote  you  a 
verry  surcumstantial  letter,  and  must  bid  you  adieu  for 
the  present,  and  remain  as  usual  your  Mother, 

SARAH  BANCKER. 

P.  S.     Polly  and  your  other  friends  desire  their  love  to 
you. 

Addressed:    Col.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Commandant  of  the  Light  In 
fantry,  American  Camp. 


FROM  HEMAN  SWIFT. 

CAMP  2ND  CONNECTICUT  BRIGADE,  Nov.  1st,  1782. 
Sir: 

I  have  this  moment  received  a  letter  from  General 
Huntington  informing  me  that  he  has  directed  the  Field 
Officers  of  the  first  brigade  to  attend  my  Quarters  this 
morning,  in  order  to  make  the  arrangements  in  their 
respective  grades  by  mutual  agreement,  and  desired  me 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY     WEBB  23! 

to  notify  you,  Major  Smith  1  and  Major  Wright,2  that  it  is 
his  desire  that  you  attend.  You  will  be  so  good  as  to  notify 
Majors  Smith  and  Wright.  I  expect  the  gentlemen  from 
the  Point  here  soon. 

I  am  sir  with  great  respect  your  obedient  servt., 

HEMAN  SWIFT. 

Addressed:   Col.  Webb,  at  his  Quarters. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  November  6th,  1782. 
Dear  Brother: 

A  soldier  this  morning  calls  upon  me.  I  embrace  the 
opportunity  to  let  you  know  that  your  good  mother,  Aunt 
and  all  of  us  all  well.  The  French  army  have  all  marched 
from  Hartford.  Many  of  the  French  officers  have  called 
and  paid  their  respect  to  us.  Our  house  has  been  thronged. 
Do  you  expect  to  pay  us  a  visit  soon?  What  are  the 
movements  ? 

What  is  the  news?  as  to  the  necessary  supplies  for  your 
family,  I  hope  they  will  be  clever.  Two  or  three  articles 
are  rather  difficult  to  be  got,  first  butter,  hay  and  cash;  but 
I  trust  we  shall  get  along  clever;  but  I  hope  you  will  not 
have  too  many  horses.  You  have  never  told  me  whether 
you  wished  for  part  of  the  old  barn  on  the  lott  you  live  on, 
or  on  your  corner  lott.  Do  write  me  soon  as  possible. 
I  am  most  sincerely  yours. 

[No  signature. 

Addressed:  Col.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Commanding  the  Light  Infan 
try,  American  Army. 

1  David  Smith,  of  Waterbury,  in  Lieut.  Col.  Isaac  Sherman's  regiment. 

2  Joseph  A.  Wright,  of  Wethersfield,  in  Col.  Zebulon  Butler's  regiment 


232  FAMILY     LETTERS 

FROM  GERARD  G.  BEEKMAN. 

G.  G.  Beekman  presents  his  compliments  to  Col.  Webb 
and  acquaints  him  the  Circle  will  put  itself  in  motion  agree 
able  to  his  request  tomorrow. 

PEEKSKILL,  Saturday  Morning,  [November  16,  1782.] 


FROM  SARAH  BANCKER. 

November  igth,  1782. 

Your  very  kind  and  oblidging  letter  by  Richard  is  now 
befour  me,  and  have  made  several  atempts  to  answer  it; 
but  you,  my  dear  friend,  can  easely  judge  the  conflict  I 
must  have  had  with  myself  on  the  return  of  that  day  that 
separated  for  ever  from  my  site  my  lovely  Betsey.  I 
strove  to  arm  myself,  but  alas  ten  thousand  coroding 
thoughts  assaulted  me,  and  my  tears  were  my  only  releaf. 
Dus  every  mother  feel  as  I  do  at  the  loss  of  theur  children? 
Shure  then  I  have  never  pittied  them  as  I  ought  (methinks 
I  hear  you  say,  every  child  is  not  worthy  of  that  love  and 
affection  that  she  merrited  from  her  friends;  she  was 
nearer  perfection  than  thousands  of  her  sex).  True,  my 
friend,  all  have  not  bin  blessed  with  sutch  a  child,  and 
their  grief  must  be  in  proporsion  to  their  loss.  Mine  is 
very  great  indeade.  Mrs.  Cary  has  a  daughter.  I  had  a 
letter  from  her  since  I  last  wrote  you,  requesting  me  to 
stand  god  mother  for  it;  it  is  to  be  named  after  our  own 
dear  Betsey.  I  will  inclose  it  to  you.  I  think  it  shows  her 
affection  was  sencear,  and  that  death  has  not  disolved  it, 
witch  is  to  mutch  the  case  with  many  people.  I  had  an 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        233 

oppertunity  the  next  day  after  receved  hers  to  write  her, 
and  acquies  in  her  request.  I  am  mutch  disepinted  at 
your  not  being  able  to  leave  camp  sooner  than  the  first  of 
January.  I  had  flattered  myself  with  your  being  home 
mutch  sponer;  but  why  I  flatter  myself  with  anything  in 
this  life  that  can  give  me  pleasure  I  know  not,  while  every 
thing  conspires  to  make  me  more  reched.  Your  atention 
for  me  merrits  every  accnolagement  and  gratitude  from 
me.  I  beg  you  will  not  make  yourself  uneasy.  I  shall  be 
provided  with  all  I  want.  Your  brother  I  think  reather 
thought  Richard  cuming  unnecessary.  He  dus  not  like  I 
believe  to  be  hurryed.  Richard  could  not  accomplish  the 
giting  any  wood  while  he  was  hear.  Mr.  Webb  said  he 
did  not  like  to  take  any  of  your  lot  and  I  think  to,  if  it  can 
be  got  any  where  else,  it  will  be  best.  I  am  extremely 
sorry  I  must  give  you  so  mutch  trouble.  Richard  brought 
me  eight  dollars  and  six  crown  from  Robbens.  He  has 
prommesed  to  pay  the  rest  in  a  few  days.  If  your  wagon 
should  cum  this  winter  and  a  barrel  or  two  of  flower  could 
be  had  without  giveing  you  mutch  trouble,  and  it  is  cheaper 
their,  would  it  not  be  best  to  git  it?  It  is  22/  hear,  and  I 
find  it  diifical  to  git.  Had  I  not  had  the  barrel  of  Cornell 
that  came  from  the  Branch,  I  don't  know  what  we  should 
have  don,  and  it  is  almost  to  bad  to  eate.  The  drouth 
hear  for  som  time  made  it  diffical,  and  since  every  body 
seams  to  be  bisy,  they  dont  trash  their  weat.  I  have  put 
up  for  Richard  to  take  to  you  a  vest,  pr.  stockens,  and  a  pr. 
drawers  I  maid;  the  old  one  was  not  fit.  [Abraham]  Beld- 
ing  caled  hear  yesterday,  told  me  he  should  go  to  camp  in 
a  bout  ten  days,  when  I  will  write  you  again.  Pray  dont 
disopint  me  in  cuming  home  as  soon  as  you  can.  Polly 
and  the  good  people  next  dore  joyne  me  in  love  to  you. 


234  FAMILY     LETTERS 

and  believe  me  to  be  as  at  all  times,  your  Affectionate 
mother,  SARAH  BANCKER. 

Give  my  compliments  to  your  Brother  Jack. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
My  Dear  Brother:  November  19,  1782. 

The  family  is  retired  to  bed.  I  steal  a  moment  of  this 
silent  hour,  unbeknown  from  the  family,  to  write  you,  for 
you  must  know  my  late  application  to  writing  late  at 
night  has  brot  on  my  old  difficulty,  weakness  of  eyes,  and 
I  am  forbid  writing  or  reading.  I  have  parted  with  Rich 
ard,  told  him  I  could  not  write;  but  my  inclination  is  so 
great  that  have,  caught  my  pen  in  this  stealing  silent  man 
ner,  to  beg  you  to  make  yourself  quite  easy  and  happy 
about  your  family.  I  have  done  for  them  just  as  if  my  own, 
and  you  may  depend  I  shall  untill  you  return.  [There's]  no 
difficulty,  only  in  butter,  cash,  and  hay.  The  last  I  thot 
[I  had]  engaged  a  large  quantity  for  you,  but  — .  Yet  I 
trust  you  will  do  well  enough.  Tomorrow  Philip  goes  the 
round  for  butter.  You  must  excuse  me,  my  eyes  weep  too 
much.  I  can  only  add  it  grieves  me  to  the  heart  to  be 
afflicted  in  my  eyes  (that  I  must  submit,  its  a  duty,  but  a 
hard  one.)  I  am  sincerely  yours. 

Gen.  Washington's  boots.     Nine  Dollars.1 

[No  signature.] 

When  your  waggon  returns  remember  if  cheap  [some] 
super  fine  flour. 

Poor  flour  sells  for  2*2  /  to  24/5  Beef  23  to  28/. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Light  Infantry,  Camp.  Per 
Richard. 


1  Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals,  II,  342. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        235 

FROM  FRANCES  CARREY. 

PHILIPS  PATENT,  November  25th,  1782. 
Sir: 

The  slight  acquaintence  I  had  with  you  when  at  Peeks 
kill,  and  the  friendship  subsisting  between  you  and  my 
Brother  Huntington's  family,  encourages  me  to  ask  for  a 
Permitt  to  visit  my  home  and  connections  at  Peeks  kill. 
I  hope  this  request  will  not  appear  unreasonable,  as  it  is 
the  first  time  I  have  asked  the  favor  since  I  was  removed, 
which  is  near  two  years.  If  a  Permitt  should  be  granted 
should  be  glad  to  have  my  little  boy  included  as  company 
for  me.  The  bearer  will  forward  it  to  me. 

By  complying  Coll.  Webb  will  greatly  oblidge  his  friend 
and  Humble  servant, 

FRANCES  CARREY. 

Addressed:    Coll.  Webb,  Continental  Village. 


FROM  NEHEMIAH  HUBBARD. 

NEW  WINDSOR,  December  9th,  1782. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  am  favored  with  yours  of  this  date  by  Mr.  Frothing- 
ham;  am  sorry  its  not  in  my  power  to  send  you  some  of 
the  crackers;  those  mentioned  to  you  by  Colo.  Trumbull 
belonged  to  Col.  Wadsworth  and  have  since  gone  on  to 
Hartford.  When  I  had  the  pleasure  to  see  you  at  my 
quarters  I  had  near  half  a  barrel;  most  of  them  are  made 
use  of  since.  The  articles  mentioned  in  your  memorandum 
are  furnished,  except  the  Brown  Sugar  which  has  not  come 
to  hand  yet.  I  have  not  been  able  since  you  was  here  to 
leave  my  room,  have  sent  to  the  store  to  examin  the  flour 


236  FAMILY     LETTERS 

there,  but  no  superfine.  A  vessel  arrived  this  day  with  a 
load;  will  have  it  examined,  and  if  any  superfine  you  may 
depend  on  my  sending  a  barrel  by  Trumbull's  returning 
teams.  I  am,  sir,  with  sentiments  of  esteem  your  obedient 
servant, 

N.    HUBBARD. 
Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  West  Point. 


FROM  DAVID  SMITH. 

DEANSBOROUGH,  December  nth,  1782. 
Dear  Webb: 

I  cordialy  thank  you  for  your  kind  attention  in  speaking 
to  Genl.  Knox  on  the  subject  of  leave  of  absence.  I  have 
written  to  General  Knox  and  stated  my  reasons  fully  on 
which  I  ground  my  request.  If  I  succeed  or  not,  I  shall 
note  this  instance  of  your  politeness  and  mark  of  friendship 
to  me  among  the  many  I  have  heretofore  received.  I  am, 
dear  Webb,  Yours  affectionately, 

D.  SMITH. 

Addressed:    Colonel  Webb,  West  Point. 


FROM  HANNAH  BIRDSALL. 

PEEKS  KILL,  12  December,  1782. 

Colon.  I  have  agreeable  to  your  request  taken  ^  Ib.  Tea 
out  of  the  canester;  the  remainder  therein  send  you  by  the 
bearer  with  my  compliments  and  am  respectfully  yours, 

HANNAH  BIRDSALL. 

Addressed:   To  Colon.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  West  Point. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEY   WEBB  237 

ON  UNIFORM. 

Att  a  meeting  of  the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  Con 
necticut  Regiments  present  Col.  Webb,  Col.  Butler  and 
Lt.  Col.  Johnson,  on  the  subject  of  haveing  a  uniformity 
in  the  Line. 

Agreed  that  the  Coat  shall  be  of  a  common  length  reach 
ing  near  down  to  the  Knee  band;  that  the  four  buttons  be 
on  the  Cuff,  pockett  flaps  and  folds;  that  the  Cuffs  be 
round  and  the  Buttons  on  the  Cuffs;  for  the  convenience 
of  Soldiers  the  Cuff  is  to  be  open  the  under  side  at  least 
three  Inches  and  hooked;  those  officers  that  choose  it  can 
do  the  same.  The  Coat  is  not  to  be  laped  in  the  rear  of 
the  centre  of  the  folds  but  made  to  hook  up  at  the  corners; 
the  faceings,  Cuffs,  and  Capes,  to  be  of  the  usual  length 
and  width,  with  ten  buttons  on  the  faceings;  the  Soldiers 
faceings  to  lap  sufficient  to  cover  the  Edge  of  the  Cape; 
the  officers  to  lap  about  four  Inches  on  the  Cape. 

Hatts  uniformly  bound  with  white  and  cocked,  if  the 
binding  can  be  obtained. 

SAMUEL  B.  WEBB,  Col.  ^d  Regt. 
ZEBN.  BUTLER,  Col.  1st  Cavl.  Regt. 
T.  JOHNSON,  Lt.  Colo,  zd  Regt. 

»VEST  POINT,  iQth  Deer.  1782. 


FROM  SARAH  BANCKER. 

WEATHERSFIELD,  December  27,  1782. 

Major  [Joseph  A.]  Write  a  few  moment  ago  sent  to  let 
me  know  he  was  to  set  of  for  camp  tomorow  morning,  wich 
gives  me  the  opertunity  of  writing  you  a  few  lines;  mearly 


238  FAMILY     LETTERS 

for  the  satisfaction  of  writing  you,  as  I  have  nothing  very 
meterial  to  comunicate  at  present,  prommissing  myself  the 
pleasure  of  seaing  you  home  in  a  few  days.  Richard  is 
got  home  about  half  an  our  sence,  and  tels  me  you  was 
very  unwell  when  he  left  you  with  a  cold.  Hope  before 
this  reaches  you  you  will  have  got  the  better  of  it.  I  fear 
you  have  exposed  yourself  to  mutch  by  laying  in  a  tent 
so  long.  It  is  quite  unfortunate.  A  fine  snow  we  had  a 
few  days  ago  had  intirely  left  us,  but  hope  we  shal  be  fa 
voured  with  another  in  a  day  or  two,  when  Richard  will 
amediately  set  of  with  the  slay.  Your  brother  and  sister 
took  the  first  of  the  snow  to  go  to  Norage  [Norwich], 
witch  was  this  day  week.  They  are  detained  yet  waiting 
for  another  to  bring  them  back.  I  fancy  Mrs.  Webb  must 
be  very  uneasy  to  be  detained  so  long  at  this  season  of  the 
year  and  bad  roads  for  any  other  carage.  Your  other 
friends  hear  air  all  well,  and  joyn  me  with  Polly  in  wishing 
you  the  compliments  of  the  season.  If  you  sea  your 
brother  Capt.  Webb  pleas  to  give  my  compliments  to  him, 
and  belive  me  to  be  with  the  highest  esteem  and  regard 
Your  mother, 

SARAH  BANCKER. 

Addressed:     Col.    Samuel   B.    Webb,   West   Point.      Honored    per 
Major  Wright. 


FROM  G.  G.  BEEKMAN,  JR. 

Mr.  Gerard  G.  Beekman  Junr.  presents  his  comps.  to 
his  friend  Coll.  Webb.  Is  very  sorry  to  hear  that  he  is 
been  so  very  unwell,  so  that  it  has  deprived  him  of  the 
Coll.'s  company,  who  he  and  Mrs.  Beek[man]  is  always 
glad  to  see.  She  says  she  will  be  at  weathersf[ield]  this 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        239 

winter  if  there  is  snow.  Papa,  who  is  here,  is  sorry  you 
have  been  unwell  as  well  as  himself.  Gilbert  is  recovering 
fast.  Sister  Nancy  is  as  helthy  as  ever. 

Sunday  afternoon,  half  past   2  o'clock.     PEEKS  KILL  2Qth  Decem 
ber,  1782. 

Addressed:   Col.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  West  Point. 


FROM  RICHARD  PLATT.* 

ROBINSON'S,  December  31,  [1782.] 
Sir: 

When  in  November  last  I  presented  you  an  order  for 
the  small  barge  in  your  possession  you  made  no  hesita 
tion  about  the  delivery,  in  case  she  had  been  at  the  Village 
Landing;  and  I  think  you  must  well  remember  that  I  said 
"I  had  no  passion  for  her  in  particular,  but  only  wanted  a 
boat  (and  a  boat  I  am  now  destitute  of);  and  as  your  then 
situation  required  one  of  her  description  (and  to  my  knowl- 
ege  there  was  no  other  to  be  had)  I  readily  subscribed  to 
your  case,"  tho'  not  in  the  least  doubting  that  when  a 
different  aspect  should  arise  you  would  resign  her  in  favor 
of  my  principal.  I  am  sorry  that  I  am  constrained  to  alter 
the  opinion  I  had  conceived;  for  it  does  not  appear  from 
the  verbal  answers  you  have  given  to  three  written  applica 
tions  of  mine  on  the  subject,  that  you  intend  to  yield  her. 
You  will  pardon  me  then  for  asking  a  conclusive  answer  to 
my  question.  I  am,  Sir,  Your  most  Obedient  servant, 

RICHD.  PLATT. 

Addressed:    Colonel  Webb,  Westpoint. 

1  Of  New  York.  He  was  aide  de  camp  of  General  Macdougall 
through  the  war. 


240  FAMILY     LETTERS 

To  RICHARD  PLATT. 

WEST  POINT,  Tuesday  Evening,  31  December,  1782. 
Sir: 

I  am  this  moment  favor'd  with  yours  of  this  day's  date. 
That  part  which  mentions  my  verbal  reply  to  three  within 
applications  looks  like  neglect,  which,  be  assured,  I  feel 
myself  incapable  of  to  any  gentleman,  either  of  superior, 
equal,  or  inferior  rank;  but  more  particularly  to  a  man  who 
I  have  profess'd  and  feel  a  Friendship  for,  your  principle 
as  well  as  yourself.  I  am  therefore  obliged  to  gratify  my 
own  feelings  and  quiet  your  doubts,  by  informing  you  that 
your  first  two  notes  were  handed  to  me  at  a  time  when  I 
was  too  ill  to  write  on  any  subject,  and  as  the  boat  was 
up  the  river,  I  supposed  it  sufficient  to  give  the  Serjeant 
that  information.  This  morning  your  third  note  was  dated 
on  the  dock.  I  had  company,  and  could  not  conceive  it 
necessary  to  detain  you  in  that  situation  for  a  written 
reply.  At  Gen'l  Knox's  request  I  had  mann'd  the  barge 
to  take  a  French  officer  to  Head  Quarters.  It  was,  there 
fore,  out  of  my  power  to  give  you  an  order  for  her.  You 
mistake  the  matter  when  you  suppose  I  should  have  deliv 
ered  you  the  Barge  last  November,  had  she  been  in  the 
Creek.  Be  assured  I  had  no  intention  to  do  it,  but  had  an 
application  been  made  immediately  on  my  arrival  here, 
and  before  I  found  the  necessity  I  was  under  of  sending 
from  thirty  to  sixty  miles  up  the  river  for  every  article  of 
my  winter  stores,  I  should  have  given  her  up.  She  is  to 
make  one  more  trip  (if  the  weather  permits)  up  the  river 
after  stores  for  my  private  use,  probably  will  be  gone  but  a 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB  24! 

few  days.    On  her  return  I  have  no  objection  to  your  taking 
her. 

I  am,  Sir,  your  most  Hum.  Servt., 

SAM'L  B.  WEBB.1 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother: 

We  are  made  happy  this  day  by  your  letter  telling  us 
you  are  better.  I  have  been  much  more  anxious  than  I 
dare  let  Mrs.  Bancker  know.  I  hope  Richard  will  get 
safe  to  camp  with  the  sleigh  and  return  soon.  Mrs.  Webb 
is  yet  at  Norwich,  caught  there  in  a  sleigh  without  snow. 
I  send  your  Cags  Sturgeon,  the  one  of  round  hoops  is  for 
General  Washington,  either  in  the  name  of  Erklens  or 
myself.  One  is  sold  to  young  Gerry  Beekman  which  please 
to  favor  to  get  safe  to  him.  Tell  Gerry  he  has  not  answered 
my  last  letter.  The  sturgeon  is  extremely  fine  and  delicate; 
its  fine  for  supper  with  good  oil,  bread  and  butter,  vinegar 
and  parsley. 

My  eyes  forbid  me  writing.  I  am,  dear  Sam,  Your  most 
affectionate  brother, 

J.  WEBB. 

Saturday  Evening  n  o'clock,  [WETHERSFIELD,  January,  1783.] 

Addressed:  Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  West  Point  Fort.  Per  Richard 
Bacon. 


1  From  the  Knox  Papers  in  the  New  England  Historic  Genealogical 
Society. 


242  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL. 

BOSTON,  21  February,  1783. 
Dear  Sam: 

I  wrote  you  two  or  three  posts  past  that  Sally  was  con 
fined  to  her  chamber,  and  by  General  Lincoln  a  fortnight 
since  that  she  was  so  well  as  that  we  expected  to  see  you 
and  Mrs.  Bancker,  or  any  friend  you  pleased  to  bring; 
since  which  I  have  heard  nothing  from  you  which  makes 
me  apprehensive  my  letters  miscarried.  I  have  only  to 
say  that  I  congratulate  you  on  the  appearance  of  peace, 
which  must  be  pleasing  to  every  good  man,  and  to  tell 
you  that  unless  we  see  you  before  you  go  to  camp,  we 
will  not  know  you  when  you  return.  We  are  all  cleverly, 
and  send  love  to  you  all.  In  haste,  Dr.  Sam,  Yours 
affectionately, 

Jo.  BARRELL. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Sam.  B.  Webb  at  Wethersfield. 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 
HEAD  QUARTERS,  NEWBURGH,  24th  Feby.  1783. 

The  non  arrival  of  the  clothing  expected  from  Europe 
renders  the  greatest  economy  of  that  article  doubly  nec 
essary.  The  Commander  in  Chief  therefore  recommends 
that  the  business  of  turning  and  repairing  the  coats  of 
last  year  should  now  be  considered  as  a  primary  object; 
in  doing  which  a  certain  model  as  to  the  fashion  and  length 
(for  the  coats  ought  to  be  made  something  shorter  than  the 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        243 

present)  will  be  established  by  the  Commanding  Officer 
of  the  Corps,  from  which  there  must  be  no  deviation. 
Should  the  men  in  any  instance  presume  to  make  altera 
tions  in  the  fashion  of  their  clothing  according  to  their 
own  whim  or  caprice,  report  is  to  be  made  thereof  by  the 
inspector,  that  the  want  of  system  and  police  in  such  corps 
may  be  publicly  noticed.  It  is  expected  that  scarlet  cloth 
for  cuffs  and  capes,  and  perhaps  half-facings  will  be  fur 
nished  as  the  Secretary  at  War  has  been  pleased  to  give 
assurances  that  he  will  cause  a  quantity  of  that  cloth  to 
gether  with  thread  to  be  immediately  forwarded  from  Phil 
adelphia,  if  possible.  The  Commander  in  Chief  flatters 
himself  that  he  shall  see  the  good  taste  and  attention  of 
the  officers  as  beautifully  displayed  in  the  present  instance 
as  all  the  military  virtues  have  been  on  every  late  occasion. 


ABRAHAM  BANCKER  TO  MRS.  BANCKER. 

Dear  Aunt: 

I  cannot  consistent  with  my  feelings  let  pass  this  op 
portunity  without  testifying  the  Respect  I  bear  you.  It 
has  been  a  cause  of  great  anxiety  to  our  Family  that  we 
have  been  so  long  deprived  of  the  Fruits  of  a  free  Communi 
cation;  but  have  at  length  a  Prospect  of  our  Grievances 
being  speedily  terminated  by  a  Return  of  Peace,  with  every 
concomitant  Blessing  that  is  to  be  derived  from  its  Influ 
ence.  The  Calamities  usually  attending  a  State  of  Warfare 
have  been  borne  by  almost  every  Citizen  within  the  States, 
either  in  a  greater  or  less  degree;  but  when  to  these  are 
added  the  piercing  Sorrows  that  arise  from  the  loss  of  our 
dearest  Connections  in  Life,  the  Burden  becomes  inex- 


244  FAMILY     LETTERS 

pressibly  grievous,  and  cannot  be  conceived  but  by  those 
whose  Lot  it  has  been  to  experience  its  Pangs.  Believe 
me,  Dear  Aunt,  we  Sympathise  with  you  in  your  Distress; 
and  sincerely  hope  that  as  it  has  pleased  the  Almighty  in 
his  wise  dispensations  to  visit  you  with  his  afflicting  hand 
he  may  indue  you  with  that  Degree  of  Fortitude  and  Resig 
nation  as  to  hold  you  up  from  sinking  under  its  mighty 
Pressure.  We  trust  the  day  is  not  far  distant  when  we 
shall  be  reunited  in  the  Bands  of  Friendship  and  affection, 
and  shall  meet  to  part  no  more,  until  we  quit  the  stage  of 
Mortality. 

I  have  but  just  returned  from  a  Jaunt  to  Morristown 
and  Philadelphia.  Our  Friends  within  those  Boundaries 
are  extremely  well  in  Regard  to  Health,  tho'  some  I  found 
in  very  indigent  circumstances.  Christ,  can  scarce  pro 
cure  his  Family  their  daily  Bread.  He  is  very  necessitous. 
His  Children  without  shoes  or  stockings,  and  not  a  change 
of  Raiment  to  put  on  them.  Polly  is  safely  delivered  of  a 
Son  which  is  like  to  do  well.  Herself  was  very  low,  occa 
sioned  by  a  Fall  which  was  near  being  fatal  to  her,  tho' 
am  happy  to  advise  you  that  she  is  on  the  Recovery. 

My  Father  and  Mother  I  left  well  on  Friday.  They 
enjoy  much  Peace  and  Tranquility  comparatively  with 
what  they  did  when  you  were  there.  .Those  unruly  Do- 
mesticks  wrho  at  that  time  endangered  our  Safety  are 
removed  to  such  a  distance  as  to  free  us  from  any  dismal 
apprehension  in  future.  Last  summer  they  had  formed  a 
Conspiracy  against  our  lives,  of  which  I  made  a  discovery 
on  the  eve  of  its  being  put  into  execution,  which  induced 
me  to  take  such  measures  as  to  prevent  its  consequences. 
The  strategem  succeeded,  for  before  they  had  the  least 
knowledge  of  my  intentions  they  found  themselves  se- 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        245 

cured  on  board  a  vessel  of  war  in  which  they  took  their 
departure  to  the  West  Indies. 

Mr.  Justus  B.  Smith  1  who  has  been  pleased  to  offer 
himself  as  a  Bearer  of  this  letter,  will  deliver  this  to 
you;  to  him  I  refer  you  for  any  Information  you  may 
desire  respecting  the  present  situation  of  affairs  in  this 
Quarter. 

It  would  be  a  gratification  to  us  while  so  unhappily 
separated  to  hear  frequently  from  those  we  esteem.  Con 
sistent  with  that  principle  I  beg  leave  to  assure  you  that 
an  answer  to  this  scrawl  will  be  deemed  a  peculiar  favor; 
which  shall  prompt  our  future  exertions  to  oblige. 

Accept  our  best  love  and  fondest  wishes  for  your  Preser 
vation.  Please  make  my  Respects  acceptable  to  Col.  S.  B. 
Webb,  Miss  Webb  and  Miss  Duyckinck. 

I  am,  Dear  Aunt,  with  invariable  attachment  your  affec 
tionate  Nephew, 

ABRM.  BANCKER. 

NEW  YORK,  i6th  March,  1783. 


MEMORIAL  OF  CORPORALS. 

[WEST  POINT],  April  i6th,  1783. 
Sir: 

It  is  the  request  of  those  whose  names  are  under  written 
that  Thomas  Stanly  may  be  repromoted.  We  are  sensible 
he  has  been  guilty  of  breach  of  orders;  but  we  think  his 


1  Son  of  John  and  Margaret  Smith,  of  Westchester,  and  brother-in- 
law  of  Richard  (or  Christopher)  Bancker,  who  had  married  his  sister 
Mary.  He  had  two  brothers,  William  S.  Smith  and  John  Smith. 


246  FAMILY     LETTERS 

crime  not  altogether  scandulous:  and  that  his  reputation 
merits  our  attention.  The  happy  day  of  peace  is  come, 
and  it  must  give  him  disagreeable  sensations  to  return  to 
his  friends  thus  disgraced. 

We  are,  Sir,  your  Honor's  humble  servant 

REUBEN  Moss  1  REUBEN  CARTER  7 

BENJ.  WHEELER  2  NEKLAS  HOWEL  l 

ISAAC  NORTHRUP  1  JESSE  ST.  JOHN  10 

DANIEL  PORTER  3  FREDERICK  STODDARD  9 

ABRAHAM  PARKER  l  RICHARD  BELDING  u 

GEORGE  HUBBARD  4  ASHER  HICKOX 

JAMES  HOOKER  5  GILES  WILCOX  lz 

ABEL  HITCHCOCK  1  AMASA  GRENELL  1 

JAMES  DOWNS  4  JAMES  CR[?] 

SAMUEL  JACKSON  5  DAVID  LOUNSBURY  13 

GIDEON  GOFF  6  ARMY  SPERRY  8 

STEPHEN  ROBERTS  9  MOSES  PORTER  8 
JOHN  THOMAS  8 


1  Of  Colonel  Butler's  regiment. 

2  Of   Capt.    David    Dorrance's    company,    Lieut.    Col.    Sherman's 
regiment. 

3  Of  Capt.  John  Riley's  company,  Webb's  regiment. 

4  Of  Capt.  Stephen  Betts'  company,  Webb's  regiment. 

5  Of  Capt.  Selah  Benton's  company,  Sherman's  regiment. 

6  Of  Capt.  Edward  Bulkley's  company,  Webb's  regiment. 

7  Of  Capt.  Samuel  W.  Williams'  company,  Webb's  regiment. 

8  Of  Capt.  Joseph  Walker's  company,  Webb's  regiment. 

9  Of  Capt.  Samuel  Sanford's  company,  Sherman's  regiment. 

10  Of  Capt.  David  Parsons'  company,  Webb's  regiment. 

11  Of  Capt.  Elisha  Hopkins'  company,  Webb's  regiment. 

12  Of  Capt.  Asahel  Hodge's  company,  Sherman's  regiment. 

13  Of  Capt.  Roger  Welles'  company,  Webb's  regiment. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        247 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

At  Mr.  Beekman's 

Thursday  12  o'clock  [PEEKSKILL,  April  25,  1783.] 
Dear  Brother: 

I  arrived  here  about  J^  an  hour  ago  with  Mrs.  Bancker. 
I  inclose  you  a  Letter  from  Genl.  Trumbull.  We  wish  to 
see  you  immediately.  We  have  no  Hay  for  our  horses 
here.  Is  it  not  best  for  Richard  to  take  the  Horses  home? 
Does  Mrs.  Huntington  go  in  with  us.  I  can  only  say  I  am 
extremely  anxious  to  make  the  utmost  dispatch  as  I  left 
my  affairs  at  home  at  sixes  and  sevens.  If  Brother  Jack 
is  with  you  I  suppose  he  will  come  with  you  to  see  us.  You 
will  do  the  needful  about  sending  to  Head  Quarters.  In 
deed  I  do  not  think  its  needful  to  say  anything  about  it. 
At  Connecticut  every  one  goes  and  comes  that  pleases 
without  ceremony,  and  sending  to  Head  Quarters  will 
delay  us.  You'll  observe  this  day  fortnight  is  our  election. 
I  am  in  a  hurry  and  almost  crazy  to  get  back.  I  hope  every 
thing  is  ready  for  our  dispatch. 

I  am  with  compliments  to  the  Circle,  Yours  sincerely, 

Jos.  WEBB. 

You'll  observe  I  leave  the  whole  to  your  Government, 
but  beg  you  to  dispatch  us  this  afternoon  if  you  can. 

Addressed:  Colonel  Samuel  B.  Webb,  West  Point.  Per  Master 
Jack. 


FROM  WILLIAM  NORTH. 
Dear  Colonel: 

The  Baron  [Steuben]  wrote  your  Brother  some  time 
since  of  an  affair  between  them,  but  as  he  has  not  answered 
the  Baron's  letter  he  fears  it  has  miscarried,  and  has  sent 


248  FAMILY     LETTERS 

him  a  duplicate  which  I  must  beg  you  to  take  the  trouble 
of  forwarding. 

The  Baron  presents  his  Compliments  to  you  and  Capt. 
Webb,  and  asks  the  favor  of  your  Company  at  dinner  on 
Friday  next.  This  pleasure  I  hope  you  will  not  deny  the 
Baron  and  his  family. 

With  the  greatest  respect  I  am,  Dr.  Colonel,  your 
Obedient  servant, 

WM.  NORTH. 

Tuesday  afternoon,  [FISHKILL,  April  29,  1783.] 
Addressed:   Colonel  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  West  Point. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

[WETHERSFIELD,  May, 
Dear  Brother: 

I  suppose  this  will  find  you  in  York  with  your  good 
Mother,  to  whom  please  to  make  every  apology  in  your 
power  for  me.  Tell  her  to  forgive  my  seeming  neglect. 
We  are  all  extremely  anxious  to  have  her  back.  I  have 
the  satisfaction  of  telling  you  that  your  Horses  are  in  fine 
Order.  William  has  behaved  extremely  well,  but  goes 
away  soon.  Cant  you  get  a  likely  Boy  to  live  with  you;  a 
Hessian  is  much  the  best.  Philip  has  left  Coits  and  gone 
off.  Mr.  Richard  Smith  begs  if  you  can  conveniently  find 
a  Hessian  that  has  been  waiter  to  an  Officer,  you  would 
send  him  one.  Will  it  not  be  well  for  you  to  send  out  a  good 
firkin  Irish  butter,  a  Gloucester  Cheese,  some  trifle  of 
Porter  and  ale,  for  your  family,  and  some  little  matters 
that  may  please  Mrs.  Bancker?  Mr.  Lloyd  and  a  large 

1  "Received  June  2d,  in  New  York." 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        249 

circle  dine  with  Broome  this  day.  Abby  Lloyd  was  married 
last  Thursday  Evening.  My  baggage  I  left  at  John  Miller's, 
near  the  Coffee  House.  If  not  already  come  away  please 
to  send  me  per  the  first  opportunity. 

I  am,  Dear  Sam,  Your  affectionate  Brother, 

J.  WEBB. 

I  wish  you  would  call  on  Joseph  Hallet,  if  you  know  him. 
He  was  very  polite  to  me.  So  was  John  Miller.  By  the  bye 
Gen.  Pfarsons]  says  you  must  call  on  Sam  Jarvis  in  his 
name  and  ask  him  to  shew  you  an  account  of  supplies  to 
Sheldon's  Regiment  during  this  war.  Perhaps  you  may 
find  a  certain  Major's  account.  Its  of  consequence. 

Yrs.  Aff. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  to  the  Care  of  Mrs.  Duncomb, 
No.  20  Queen  Street,  New  York.  Per  Mr.  Stephen  Chester  and  John 
Wright. 


FROM  MRS.  MARY  DuYCKiNCK.1 

WETHERSFIELD,  May  9th,  1783. 

I  received  by  Major  Wright  a  few  lines.  Could  not  let 
Richard  go  without  writing  a  line  or  two,  though  am  at  a 
loss  what  to  say,  as  my  writing  faculties  are  not  very  bright. 
However,  if  I  had  nothing  more  to  say  than  that  your 
friends  here  are  well,  it  would  give  you  some  degree  of 
Pleashure.  You  observe  it  must  be  very  dull;  your  obser 
vations  are  very  just,  it  is  much  so  indeed.  Your  Brother 
is  just  returned  from  New  York  and  left  my  good  sister 
behind.  When  or  how  she  is  to  get  back  I  know  not.  She 
wrote  me  a  few  lines,  though  nothing  particular.  Your 

1  She  was  the  "Aunt  Polly"  of  these  letters. 


FAMILY     LETTERS 

brother  says  New  York  is  very  disagreeable.  He  was  glad 
to  get  out  as  soon  as  possible.  I  received  a  letter  last 
evening  from  your  sister  Hetty.  Your  friends  in  Boston 
are  all  well.  Miss  Braisher  is  soon  to  be  married  to  Mr. 
Hall.  She  with  Mrs.  Gary  is  soon  to  be  through  here  on 
their  way  to  Jersey.  The  Miss  Smiths  are  with  me,  at 
present  at  a  dance,  past  twelve  o'clock.  No  appearance 
of  them  yet.  Will  not  intrude  on  your  patience,  will  only 
add  my  sincear  wishes  for  your  health.  From  your  afec- 
tionate  friend, 

M.  D. 

Addressed:   Colo.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  West  Point.    Richard  Bacon. 


FROM  HENRY  JACKSON. 

HUTS  FIRST  MASS'TTS  BRIGADE,  June  8,  1783. 
Sir: 

The  inclosed  is  a  copy  of  the  Commander  in  Chief's 
answer  to  our  letter  of  yesterday,  respecting  the  Drums 
and  Fifes  inlisted  for  the  war,  being  permitted  to  carry 
Arms  with  them  on  Furlough.  You  will  please  to  send  it 
to  the  several  Commanding  Officers  of  Regiments  at  and 
near  Westpoint.  God  bless  you. 

I  am  with  much  Esteem  your  friend  and  humble  servant, 

H.  JACKSON. 

P.  S.     The  bearer  will  deliver  you  the  prayer  book. 

H.J. 

Addressed:  Colo.  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  or  in  his  absence  to  Colo.  John 
Crane,  West  Point. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEY  WEBB  25! 

FROM  STACY  HEPBURN. 

PHILADELPHIA,  7th  July,  1783. 
Sir: 

Your  Bill  on  Silas  Deane  in  favor  of  J.  Seagrove  for  £100 
Sterling  (and  drawn  about  three  years  since)  is  now  re 
turned  Protested,  and  as  Mr.  Seagrove  is  in  Havanna  you 
will  much  oblige  me  by  taking  up  the  Bill  as  soon  as  Pos- 
sable.  The  customary  damages  of  this  place  is  20  per  cent 
and  Cost  of  Protest  and  no  Interest.  I  am  Respectfully 
Your  Friend. 

STACY  HEPBURN. 

Sure  to  let  me  hear  from  by  return  of  Post. 

Addressed:  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Esqr.,  supposed  to  be  at  Weathers- 
field,  Connecticut. 


FROM  WILLIAM  STEPHENS  SMITH. 

Fryday,  2  oClock  [NEW  YORK,  October,  1783.] 
Dear  Sam: 

If  you  will  accompany  me  to  dinner  this  day,  I  will  call 
on  you.  The  gentleman  mentioned  is  to  be  one  of  the 
Company,  and  we  may  have  an  opportunity  of  conversing 
with  him  together  upon  the  business.  I  hope  it  will  not 
interfere  with  your  arrangements,  but  I  think  it  best  for 
the  dispatch  of  business  that  you  take  part  of  my  room, 
and  that  we  lodge  together.  In  short  it  must  be  so;  there 
fore  govern  yourself  accordingly.  Your  friend,  &c. 

W.  S.  SMITH. 


252  FAMILY     LETTERS 


To  JOSEPH  BARRELL. 

WETHERSFIELD,  2  November,  1783. 
Dear  Barrell: 

I  have  waited  ten  days  for  a  private  conveyance  to  for 
ward  you  the  hair  for  the  rings,  and  the  Pattinett  for  Sally; 
none  has  offered.  I  shall  send  them  by  tomorrow's  post. 
Mrs.  Bancker  is  anxious  to  have  hers  made  considerable 
smaller  than  yours.  She  likewise  seems  desirous  that  in 
the  place  of  the  weeping  Willow  the  Initials  of  her  late 
Husband  and  Mrs.  Webb  should  be  placed,  viz.  R.  B.  and 
E.  W.,  together  with  their  age  and  time  of  Death.  Mr. 
Bancker  died  the  i8th  of  April,  1775,  in  the  47th  year  of 
his  age.  Mrs.  Webb  the  i8th  of  November,  1781,  in  the 
24th  year  of  her  age.  If  this  can  be  done  I  wish  you  would 
alter  the  Device  and  directions  accordingly.  In  the  one 
done  for  me  I  could  wish  the  Initials  of  Mrs.  WTebb,  to 
gether  with  her  Age  and  Death,  the  interval  decorated 
with  a  weeping  willow.  When  I  say  the  interval  I  mean  the 
place  left  provided  the  age  and  time  of  Mrs.  Webb's  death 
is  placed  around  the  outer  edge  of  the  ring.  We  all  thank 
you  for  the  trouble  you  have  already  given  yourself  in  this 
business,  but  solicit  your  further  attention  in  haveing 
them  executed.  For  that  purpose  I  have  sent  you  19  pnWt 
of  old  Gold.  It  is  the  wish  of  Mrs.  Bancker  it  may  be 
made  up  in  the  rings;  some  [of]  it  has  been  near  100  years 
in  that  family.  If  you  think  a  Brooch  is  best  for  me, 
order  it.  In  short  do  for  me  as  you  would  do  for  yourself. 
Mrs.  Gary's  and  Hetty's  Hair  you  will  please  to  get.  I 
have  numbered  the  others  agreeable  to  your  directions. 

[Unsigned.] 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        253 

FROM  JESSE  DEANE.1 
Dear  Brother: 

The  weather  not  permitting  me  to  go  out,  and  being  in 
want  of  some  of  my  things,  also  to  send  the  rest  on  to 
Hartford,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  you  to  deliver  them  into  the 
hands  of  the  bearer.  The  weather  and  my  present  situa 
tion  must  excuse  my  not  being  more  with  you. 

I  remain  my,  Dear  Brother,  with  sincere  affection  yours 

JESSE  DEANE. 

WETHERSFIELD,  ijth  November,  1783. 

Addressed:  A  Monsieur  Collonel  Samuel  B.  Webb,  at  Werthersfield. 


FROM  JEDIDIAH  HUNTINGTON. 

[NORWICH],  17  November,  1783. 
Dear  Sir: 

Upon  my  arrival  at  Norwich  I  found  that  Doctor 
Holmes  2  had  received  a  letter  from  Colonel  Smith  on  the 
subject  of  the  memorandum  you  gave  me,  and  that  he  had 
prepared  an  answer  as  full  as  appeared  necessary.  I  sent 
the  letter  to  Col.  Smith  by  an  opportunity  which  then  pre 
sented;  at  the  same  time  gave  the  Col.  my  testimony  of 
the  Doctor's  character.  Please  to  present  Mrs.  H.  and 
my  compliments  to  Mrs.  Bancker  and  the  circle  and  be 
lieve  me,  dear  Sir, 

Your  sincere  Friend  and  humble  servant, 

J.  HUNTINGTON. 

Addressed:    Colonel  Webb,  Wethersfield.    Hon'd  by  Col.  Chester. 


1  Son  of  Silas  Deane,  who  had  gone  to  France  in  the  care  of  John 
Adams,  and  had  been  educated  there. 

2  Probably  Silas  Holmes,  of  Connecticut,  surgeon's  mate  in  1776, 
and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Long  Island. 


254  FAMILY     LETTERS 

FROM  SIMEON  DEANE. 

WETHERSFIELD,  24  November,  1783. 
Dear  Sir: 

It  being  very  probable  that  the  weather  tomorrow  may 
accomodate  and  even  oblige  my  immediate  departure,  I  can 
not  do  otherwise  than  to  make  my  most  respectful  adieu 
in  the  situation  which  my  present  circumstances  require. 

Should  you  have  any  commands  to  N.  York  or  to  the 
Southward,  I  shall  be  happy  on  every  occasion  to  oblige 
you,  and  beg  you  freely  to  write  me  on  every  opportunity. 

I  hope  very  shortly  the  pleasure  of  returning  by  this 
country;  interim  pray  make  my  most  respectful  compli 
ments  to  Messrs  Bancker  and  Miss  Duyckinck,  also  to 
your  other  worthy  friends.  I  am  with  due  respect  and 
real  esteem,  Dr.  Sir,  your  very  humble  servt, 

SIMEON  DEANE. 

Addressed:  Colonel  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  Wethersfield.  Present.  Per 
John  Moore. 


FROM  HECTOR  ST.  JOHN. 

NEW  YORK,  22d  December,  1783. 

Mr.  St.  John 1  presents  his  Compliments  to  General 
Webb,  feels  himself  much  honored  by  the  General's  very 
Polite  Attention  to  the  French  Nation  thro'  him.  Mr. 
St.  John's  short  residence  in  this  city  has  not  yet  given 
him  an  opportunity  of  knowing  all  the  Gentlemen  of  that 

1  J.  Hector  St.  John  de  Crevecceur,  who  had  recently  in  Paris 
published  his  Letters  from  an  American  Farmer,  and  returned  to  the 
United  States  as  French  consul.  See  introduction  in  Lewisohn's  edition 
of  the  Letters. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        255 

Nation  who  may  at  present  be  in  this  City,  and  therefore 
cannot  with  propriety  point  out  to  General  Webb  such 
as  may  be  worthy  of  the  Compliment  the  General  means 
to  pay  them.  The  Chevalier  D'Abeville  and  his  Brother 
Monsieur  D'Abeville  are  the  only  persons  who  Mr.  St. 
John  can  at  present  mention  to  the  General.  Mr.  St. 
John  is  sorry  he  was  not  at  home  when  the  General  did 
him  the  honor  of  calling  upon  him. 

Addressed:   Brig'r  General  Webb,  &c,  &c,  &c. 


FROM  JOSIAH  WATSON. 

ALEXANDRIA,  I4th  September,  '84. 
Sir: 

Mr.  McEwen  with  your  favor  of  the  7th  Curt,  de 
livered  me  forty  four  half  Joes  which  I  have  accordingly 
placed  to  the  credit  of  Mr.  Barrell,  and  am  obliged  by  your 
answering  my  Draft  as  also  for  the  remittance.  I  beg 
leave  to  offer  you  my  service  at  this  place  as  elsewhere.  At 
any  time  you  may  favor  me  with  your  commands  due 
attention  shall  be  given. 

Respectfully  I  am,  Sir,  Your  most  obedient, 

JOSIAH  WATSON. 

a  Df.  in  fav.  Mr.  J.  Parker  £70.    o.  o 

do  in  Fav.  Pollock  &  Urq[uhart]  49.  12.  3 

44  half  Joes 105.  12.  o 

£225.    4.  3  Virginia  Currency 
Equal  to  750  2/3  Dollars  and  3d 

Addressed:   Samuel  B.  Webb,  Merchant,  New  York. 


256  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  CHRISTOPHER  BANCKER. 

NEW  YORK,  October  4th,  1784. 
Sir: 

By  the  will  of  Mrs.  Smith,  Relicque  of  Judge  William 
Smith,  find  there  is  left  a  legacie  of  one  hundred  dollars 
[£30]  to  Mary  Smith,  daughter  of  Mr.  John  Smith,  mer 
chant  of  this  place,  which  said  Mary  Smith  is  my  wife.1 
By  the  will  Mr.  Ezekial  Williams  is  appointed  an  executor. 
This  with  many  legacies  bequeathed  is  to  be  paid  out  of  the 
Annuityes  due  from  the  estate  of  Judge  Smith.  Its  long 
since  the  same  should  have  been  paid.  The  season  is  fast 
approaching  which  requires  every  comfort,  and  I  am  very 
poorly  provided  with  the  means  to  obtain  them.  As  this 
Legacie  will  be  the  means  of  contributing  much  to  the 
number  of  necessaries  we  shall  stand  in  need  of,  must  re 
quest  you  to  demand  from  Mr.  Williams  the  said  hundred 
dollars;  in  case  he  cannot  pay  you  the  same,  then  desire 
an  order  in  my  favor  on  Thomas  Smith,  Esqr.,  who  is  at 
present  the  Acting  Executor  to  his  father's  estate  and  from 
whence  the  payments  must  arise  of  the  different  legacies 
left  by  Mrs.  Smith.  Your  compliance  with  the  above  will 
greatly  serve  Sir,  your  humble  servant 

CHRISR.  BANCKER. 

Addressed:   Brig.  Gen.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Weathersfield. 


1  The  will  is  printed  in  New  York  Hist.  Soc.  Collections,  1904,  176. 
William  Smith  was  the  noted  jurist,  who  died  in  1769,  without  making 
a  will.  One  of  his  sons  was  William  Smith  the  historian.  Mrs.  Smith 
was  of  the  Williams  family  of  Wethersfield,  and  a  second  wife. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        257 

A.  M.  DE  PEYSTER  TO  MRS.  BANCKER. 

Maddam: 

In  the  Life  Time  of  Mr.  Bancker  he  employed  me  to 
prosicute  a  Mrs.  Hannah  Cobb  for  House  Rent  due  to  him. 
I  accordingly  issued  against  her  at  the  suit  of  Mr.  Bancker 
five  writs,  upon  neither  of  which  coud  she  be  taken.  In 
doing  this  I  had  to  advance  out  my  Pocket  Money  to  the 
Clerk  of  the  Court  and  the  Sheriff,  which  Money  I  am 
still  out  Pocket.  As  I  am  now  about  endeavoring  to  settle 
such  Business  as  was  left  unsettled  previous  to  the  late 
War,  I  have  taken  the  Liberty  to  send  you  an  account  of 
my  costs  accrued  upon  the  above  Business,  which  I  should 
be  much  obliged  to  you  indeed  to  receive  by  the  bearer. 
I  am,  Maddam,  Your  Humble  Servant, 

A.  M.  DE  PEYSTER. 

QUEENS  STREET,  No.  156,  November  10,  1784. 


MEMORANDUM.1 

April  22nd,  1775,  Marched  for  Boston,  then  a  Lieut,  in 
an  Independent  Company. 

l8th  June,  1775,  the  day  after  the  Battle  of  Bunkers 
hill,  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major  and  Aid-de-Camp  to 
Majr.  Genl.  Putnam. 

May,  1776,  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieut.  Colonel,  Aid- 
de-Camp  and  private  Secretary  to  His  Excellency  General 
Washington;  with  him  thro:  Jersey,  at  the  Battles  of 
Trenton  and  Princeton. 

January,    1777.     Promoted   by  His   Excellency  to   the 

1  In  the  MS.  of  General  Webb. 


258  FAMILY     LETTERS 

command  of  a  Regiment,  and  continued  untill  the  disband 
ing  the  Army  in  June,  1783. 

Included  in  that  number  recommended  to  Congress  by 
General  Washington  when  he  resigned  his  Commission. 

The  last  campaign  was  honored  with  the  Command  of 
the  Brigade  of  Light  Infantry. 


FROM  WlNTHROP  SARGENT.1 

Mr.  Sargent's  best  regards  to  his  worthy  friends,  Genl. 
and  Capt.  Webb,  requests  their  attention  to  the  inclosed, 
regrets  very  much  that  it  has  not  been  in  his  power  to 
contribute  largely  to  their  amusements  in  this  town,  but 
assures  them  that  his  sincere  wishes  have  been,  are,  and 
shall  continue  for  their  pleasure  and  happiness.  Begs 
leave  to  present  his  respects  to  the  family  at  Weathersfield, 
and  hopes  they  may  be  favored  in  an  agreeable  journey. 

[BOSTON,  January,  1785.]    Wednesday  evening. 


FROM  HENRY 

Mr.  Henry  Remsen  wishes  for  an  opportunity  to  con 
verse  with  Genl.  Webb  at  his  convenience.  Mr.  Remsen 
being  obliged  to  attend  the  Assembly  has  it  not  in  his  power 
to  spare  an  hour  to  wait  upon  Genl.  Webb;  but  as  he  is 
very  desirous  to  see  Genl.  Webb  begs  he  will  be  so  good 

1  Soon  to  become  interested  with  General  jRufus  Putnam  in  the 
Northwest  Territory,  of  which  he  was  secretary  in  1787,  and  governor, 
1798-1801. 

2  One  of  the  representatives  in  Assembly  from  the  city  of  New  York. 
Among   his   colleagues   were  Aaron   Burr,   William   Denning,   Daniel 
Dunscomb,  Peter  V.  B.  Livingston  and  Comfort  Sands. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        259 

to  call  at  the  Assembly  Chamber  at  any  hour  between  10 
o'clock  in  the  morning  and  I  o'clock  P.  M.,  or  in  the  after 
noon  after  3  o'clock. 

Tuesday  Evening,  [New  York],  February  8th,  1785. 

N.  B.  Mr.  Remsen  is  at  home  in  the  morning  till  10 
O'clock,  and  between  2  and  3  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  hopes 
Genl.  Webb  will  excuse  the  freedom  of  his  request. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB.1 

[WETHERSFIELD,  February  18,  1785.] 

Do  you  reflect  on  his  conduct  while  our  Mother  lay  a 
corpse  in  the  House?  Do  you  reflect  on  his  conduct  about 
discharging  Camps  from  the  Debt  of  Brigham's?  Pray 
what  Business  did  He  do  from  April,  1768,  to  his  going  to 
Congress  ?  What  has  He  been  about  that  he  has  not  done 
the  Settlement.  He's  not  to  look  to  me  for  a  Settlement 
of  the  Estate.  He  can  apply  in  his  own  time  and  manner. 

Let  him  get  good  Bondsmen  and  We  will  soon  find  some 
Method  of  making  a  close.  His  conduct  can't  possibly 
deceive  you. 

What  has  come  into  my  Hands  either  J.  W-  -  deed- 
Mr —  Deed —  S.  D.,  I  have  kept  such  Accompts  as  to  shew; 
but  when  in  his  name,  the  Question  is  how  came  they  his. 
Why  He  says  to  [seal]  let  my  Son  be  equal  with  the  Rest, 
in  short  He  knows  no  [seal]     With  all  of  his  great  Abilities. 

I  believe  if  the  Angle  Gabriel  was  to  undertake  to  settle 
Accots.  with  such  a  vulgar  Sett,  that  could  throw  out  the 

1  A  fragment  directed  against  Silas  Deane. 


260  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Interest,  He  would  have  his  Hands  full.  He  would  be 
charged  with  all  kind  of  villany,  and  must  one  go  thro  all 
this  for  a  vile,  Wicked,  designing  Man? 

But  while  I  do  undertake  I  will  drive  to  the  Last  to  get 
into  Notes.  I  have  a  long  Lawsuit  with  Sam  Curtiss, 
Jona.  Bigelow,  and  a  variety  of  others;  a  Lawsuit  at 
Litchfield,  one  breaking  here,  one  dying  insolvent  there, 
nothing  can  be  more  disagreeable.  I  leave  you  to  reflect 
on  the  Whole.  Yrs.  Sincerely. 

[No  signature.] 


JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH  TO  HENRY  KNOX. 

-p^         ~.  NEW  YORK,  February  26,  1785. 

It  is  now  in  contemplation  to  appoint  you  Secretary  at 
War.  The  Salary  may  possibly  be  2500  dollars  per  an 
num,  which  is  certainly  too  small,  but  small  as  it  is,  it  will 
be  500  dollars  less,  and  not  worth  your  acceptance.1  Our 
friend  Sam  B.  Webb  is  here  and  out  of  business.  His 
talents  you  are  no  stranger  to.  I  think  them  good,  and 
know  he  would  be  glad  of  the  first  place  under  you;  and 
if  you  should  accept  with  either  of  the  above  Salaries 
they  will  not  maintain  you  here.  Could  you  not  visit 
occasionally  your  office  here,  and  leave  Webb  to  execute 
in  your  Place,  and  pursue  your  schemes  in  Boston?  If 
you  do  not  accept  your  recommendation,  with  the  interest 
Webb  could  make  would  obtain  the  appointment  for  him. 
You  see  I  do  not  apologize  beforehand,  nor  will  do  it  at 
all.  I  would  not  ask  a  favor  of  five  men  in  the  world  for 
myself  or  friend,  and  the  number  is  equally  small  to  whom 

1  It  was  fixed  at  2,450  dollars,  March  4,  1785. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        26l 

I  would  be  under  obligation.  Please  to  present  my  com 
pliments  to  Mrs.  Knox  and  love  to  the  children.  I  am, 
dear  Sir,  your  sincere  friend  and  servant, 

JERE  WADS  WORTH. 

P.  S.     I  shall  be  at  Hartford  about  the  time  you  receive 
this.1 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother: 

Yours  of  the  9th  instant  is  the  first  letter  I  have  had  from 
you  this  long  time.  We  have  all  thot.  hard  of  it,  for  we 
have  been  in  the  disagreeable  situation  of  hope,  fear, 
anxiety  and  doubt.  We  heard  Mrs.  Bfancker]  was  ill, 
sometimes  dead;  but  no  letters  from  you  or  Brother  Jack 
until  of  late.  We  are  all  sincere  mourners  with  you  and 
Aunt  Polly.  I  wish  the  Good  Girl  was  now  here.  We 
shall  receive  her  with  open  arms.  Poor  Mrs.  B[ancker]. 
I  little  thot.  my  last  waiting  of  her  down  to  Chester's 
would  be  the  last  sight  of  the  Good  Lady.  How  transitory 
and  vain  are  all  earthly  things,  yet  how  little  do  we  realize 
it,  how  soon  forget.  A  few  days  and  it  must  be  said  of 
us,  Why  he  was  So  &  So,  and  forgot.  A  thousand  and 
a  thousand  reflections  rushes  in  at  once  to  make  me  gloomy. 
Tell  Aunt  Polly  Mrs.  Wfebb]  would  write  her  but  she  cant 
write  yet,  but  will  so  soon  as  she  can.  She  most  sensibly 

1  From  the  Knox  Papers  in  the  New  England  Historic  Genealogical 
Society.  In  his  reply,  dated  March  10,  Knox  said:  "I  love  Webb,  and 
should  be  happy  to  have  the  power  to  serve  him,  more  especially  when 
requested  by  you,  for  whom  I  have  the  most  unequivocal  friendship." 

Writing  again  on  April  30,  Wadsworth  said:  "I  sincerely  wish 
Webb  may  have  some  appointment.  If  Carleton  resigns,  I  think  Webb 
will  suit  you." 


262  FAMILY     LETTERS 

feels  the  loss  of  Our  Dear  Dear  Mrs.  B[ancker].  I  feel 
extremely  anxious  about  the  property.  Do  you  think 
the  business  was  well  done?  What  does  Doct.  Johnson 
say  in  confidence?  You  had  better  shew  him  the  papers 
and  consult  with  him.  Depend  on  it,  if  they  can  they 
will  give  you  trouble.  Consult  with  the  Doctor,  shew  him 
the  deeds.  I  have  many  reasons  for  it.  I  have  seen 
Jferemiah]  W[adsworth]  twice  since  his  return.  He  ap 
pears  quite  attentive  and  polite.  I  can't  but  think  he's 
much  [more]  the  friend  of  S[ilas]  D[eane\  than  ours,  but 
perhaps  I  injure  him.  So  I  shall  take  no  notice  until  I  see 
you.  I  now  come  to  the  part  of  your  letter  that  distresses 
me  exceedingly.  I  see  no  way  at  present.  I  will  write 
you  soon  but  it  distresses  me  beyond  description.  Cant 
Erklen  help  you,  and  Brother  Jack  to  half  the  debt,  and 
secure  the  rest?  What  says  he  to  Capt  Webb?  My 
heart  is  good,  so  is  my  mind,  will,  and  everything  but 
purse. 

I  inclose  a  small  sketch  of  our  landed  situation,  mort 
gages,  &c.,  but  they  command  no  money.  My  situation  is 
truly  distressing.  I  have  too  much  business,  and  all  seems 
to  no  advantage  or  but  trifling  —  as  to  myself. 

The  debts  trouble  me,  the  lands  above  all  are  trouble 
some  beyond  description.  Burnham  harrasses  me  in  the 
law.  I  must  soon  meet  Judge  Wolcott,  Esq.  Lee  and 
Treadwell,  who  is  a  committee  appointed  on  our  affair.  I 
hope  to  baffle  him,  but  it's  tedious.  Old  Carter's  mortgage 
to  our  Mother  I  fear  will  prove  an  entailment  and  we  lose 
it.  I  have  a  sea  of  Troubles  with  those  old  neglects  of 
S.  D[eane].  I  am  sued  to  Litchfield,  an  old  war  affair 
of  S  Deane's.  I  have  my  hands  full  but  I  will  endeavor 
to  push  them.  I  have  had  no  visitors  at  my  house  since 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        263 

Br.  Jack  left  us.     I  renounce  company  as  much  as  possible. 
I  am  sincerely  Yr.  Afft.  Br. 

J.  W. 

Sunday  Evening,  March  13 th,  1785. 

P.  S.  I  have  many  letters  to  write;  my  eyes  rather 
weak.  I  cant  even  look  over  and  correct.  After  you  read 
it  correct  and  make  the  necessary  stops  for  fear  some 
person  may  see  it.  Amos  Bull  lives  in  the  house  of  S. 
Dfeane].  Appears  to  be  a  good  neighbor.  You  must 
know  Mr.  Henry  Deming.  Returned  last  Sunday.  I  saw 
him  at  church.  I  asked  him  if  he  brot.  me  letters.  No. 
But  he  said  Mrs.  B[ancker]  was  dead.  G[ood]  God,  said  I, 
I  never  heard  she  was  ill.  He  then  said  afterwards  he 
did  not  know  she  was  dead,  but  from  what  he  heard  she 
was.  Thus  for  some  days,  and  indeed  until  I  saw  Wads- 
worth,  was  our  suspense. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York.    Per  Major  John 

Wyllys. 


FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH. 

HARTFORD,  March  13,  1785. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  your  favor  of  the  9th  March.  The  matter  in 
Congress  ended  as  I  expected.  Knox  will  accept.1  You 
must  look  out  for  something  else.  When  he  comes  on  he 
will  call  on  me.  I  will  then  try  him  for  you;  he  is  disposed 
to  serve  you,  so  says  his  letter  to  me.  Apply  to  Shaler  to 
raise  the  money  for  Governor's  bill.  I  will  let  your  broth- 

1  The  Secretaryship  at  War.  Webb  had  been  suggested  for  the 
place,  and  had  only  Knox  as  a  real  competitor. 


264  FAMILY     LETTERS 

ers  know  your  distresses,  but  I  have  little  hope.  It  is  not 
possible  for  me  to  supply  you  with  1000  dollars  at  present, 
nor  can  I  put  out  money  to  ly  longer  than  Church's  arrival, 
as  my  friends  have  pressed  me  so  hard  that  I  have  lent  all 
the  partnership  money,  and  must  absolutely  refund  it  in 
June  so  that  whatever  money  I  furnish  you  cant  ly  beyond 
that  time.  Those  of  your  securities  that  are  in  your  own 
name  you  ought  not  to  sell;  but  such  as  you  have  pur 
chased  are  like  other  papers,  and  may  as  well  be  sold  as 
kept.  Shaler  may  furnish  you  to  pay  Governor's  bill  and 
take  your  note  to  Wadsworth  and  Church,  whose  money 
he  must  pay  it  out  of.  I  will  write  you  more  fully  next 
week.  Say  nothing  about  my  opinion  that  Knox  will 
accept,  or  that  I  have  wrote  on  your  subject.  I  am  Dr. 
Webb,  sincerely  your  friend. 

J.  WADSWORTH 

You  may  lodge  any  securities  you  please  in  trust  with 
N.  S[haler]  for  W.  &  C. 

Addressed:   General  Webb,  New  York. 


FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL. 

BOSTON,  March  lyth,  1785. 


Dear  Sam: 

We  were  very  unhappy  last  evening  on  receipt  of  yours 
of  the  loth  giving  us  the  melancholy  account  that  Mrs. 
Bancker  was  no  more.  The  suddenness  of  her  departure, 
without  (to  us)  the  least  intimation  of  her  indisposition, 
was  the  more  afflicting;  but  so  are  the  ways  of  Heaven, 
"Dark  and  intricate"  to  mortals  who  see  but  a  little  way, 
And  when  I  reflect  on  that  happy  situation,  which  I  have 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        265 

no  doubt  awaits  the  virtuous  hereafter,  I  envy  all  those 
who  like  Mrs.  Bancker  leave  a  wel-grounded  hope  behind 
them;  and  on  any  rational  plann,  (such  are  the  troubles 
of  life,)  tis  a  happiness  to  leave  the  world,  before  the  world 
leaves  us.  I  mean  before  old  age  gives  a  keener  edge  to 
every  calamity,  and  blunts  that  of  every  enjoyment  which 
is  the  too  common  lot  of  advanced  life.  For  Aunt  Polly 
we  feel  sensibly.  Such  friendship  as  I  hear  subsisted  be 
tween  the  Sisters,  was  never  formed  to  end  in  time,  and  I 
sincerely  wish  her  that  support  which  God  alone  can  give, 
and  which  he  is  ever  ready  to  afford  to  those  that  love  him. 
I  confess  much  of  the  happiness  I  promised  myself  by  a 
visit  to  N.  York  is  by  this  providence,,  forever  debarred; 
but  remember  tis  but  a  little  while  and  the  virtuous  shall 
meet  to  part  no  more  forever;  certainly  a  perswasion  of  this 
truth  must  be  more  than  a  balance  for  every  ill  in  life. 
Hetty  and  Sally  join  in  our  best  wishes  for  your  happiness 
and  in  affectionate  condolence  with  Aunt  Polly,  who  we 
should  all  of  us  be  very  happy  to  see  in  Boston. 

As  to  my  horses,  I  want  them  as  soon  as  you  can  con 
veniently  send  them,  and  I  leave  it  to  you  to  do  it  in  the 
way  you  think  best.  If  you  send  them  to  Providence,  let 
them  be  to  the  care  of  Mr.  George  Benson,  Mercht.  there, 
with  a  letter  to  send  them  on  by  the  post,  unless  a  private 
hand  he  can  depend  on.  I  wish  you  to  settle  the  account 
with  Henry  Livingston  and  take  his  note  for  the  balance, 
which  if  paid  in  May  will  do;  but  I  want  to  enter  it  as 
settled  in  my  book.  If  you  are  sure  Campbell  and  Hunt- 
ington  are  at  Quebec  send  the  notes  to  some  friend  you 
can  depend  on,  to  recover  from  the  rascals.  I  cant  con 
ceive  for  what  the  Attorney  has  charged  you  two  guineas, 
for  keeping  the  note,  which  I  fear  is  worth  nothing. 


266  FAMILY     LETTERS 

I  am,  with  love  to  Jack  if  he  is  with  you,  Dr.  Sam,  yr 
Affect.  Friend  and  Bro., 

JOSEPH  BARRELL. 

Addressed:   Samuel  B.  Webb,  Merchant,  New  York.    Per  post. 


FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH. 

HARTFORD,  March  20,  1785. 
Dear  Webb: 

I  visited  your  Brother  last  week  to  tel  him  your  wants. 
He  replied,  you  see  how  impossible  it  is  "for  me  to  do 
anything."  I  told  him  I  had  hopes  of  borrowing  of  Mr.  P. 
Jones  two  or  three  hundred  pounds  for  you;  as  I  was  about 
paying  that  sum  to  him  I  believed  he  would  chuse  to  have 
it  out  on  interest.  He  made  no  reply.  My  wish  was  that 
he  would  have  offered  to  give  his  note  for  it.  In  that  case 
I  should  have  given  Jones  my  security  privately,  and  held 
your  public  papers  as  my  security.  But  he  said  no  more. 
I  have  not  yet  obtained  an  answer  from  Jones,  but  hope 
in  a  day  or  two.  He  liked  the  matter  at  first  but  he  seems 
now  rather  to  be  backward.  If  I  obtain  it  I  shall  ask  Jos 
to  give  his  note  for  it.  Write  me  on  this  subject.  I  have 
just  received  a  letter  from  General .  Knox.  He  accepts 
the  appointment,  and  will  be  at  New  York  the  I2th  of 
March.  Your  friends  here  are  all  well.  My  compliments 
to  your  brothers  and  all  friends.  I  am,  dear  sir,  Your 
Kind  and  H  Srvt., 

JERE.  WADSWORTH, 

Addressed:  To  General  Webb,  New  York. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        267 

FROM  SARAH  BARRELL. 


Dear  Brother:  BosTON'  APril  IIth' 

We  received  your  Melancholy  letter  giveing  an  account 
of  the  sudden  Death  of  our  friend  Mrs.  Banker.  I 
never  was  more  surprized,  and  truly  sorry  for  good  Aunt 
Polly's  lonely  situation.  Hetty  and  myself  pity,  and 
mourn  for  you  both,  as  it  must  renew  the  great  loss  of  our 
dear  Betsy  whom  unknown  I  really  loved,  and  shall  ever 
respect  her  Memory.  I  hope  you  do  not  indulge  grief  to 
prey  on  you,  but  behave  more  like  a  Christian.  Remem 
ber  that  after  a  few  short  years  we  shall  join  the  beloved 
circle  that  has  gone  before.  While  they  are  at  rest  we 
must  toil  on,  and  endure  pain  and  disapointment,  the  com 
mon  Lot  of  Mortals.  I  have  had  my  share  of  the  bitter 
cup,  yet  I  hope  to  see  many  good  Days  yet,  If  my  dear 
Brothers  lived  near  me  I  should  be  much  happier,  the 
Distance  is  much  too  great.  Wish  it  was  for  your  In- 
trest  to  come  and  spend  the  remainder  of  your  days  in 
Boston.  Your  constitution  is  frail,  and  I  am  anxious  that 
you  do  not  take  good  [care]  of  yourself.  The  gentlemen 
live  too  gay  a  Life  for  you  in  York,  their  customs  are  dis- 
agreable.  However  a  sensible  Man  is  not  obliged  to  follow 
those  that  are  injurious  to  his  health.  I  shall  expect  that 
you  will  in  the  course  of  the  Summer  make  us  a  Visit  and 
bring  Aunt  Polly.  I  shall  bid  her  welcome  and  endeavour 
to  make  her  happy.  I  wish  you  would  write  me  more 
frequent,  and  keep  alive  that  tender  affection  that  we 
always  have  felt  for  each  other,  and  I  sincerely  hope  may 
continue  as  long  as  Life.  Mr.  Barrell  and  my  littel  ones 
are  in  health.  This  evening  I  received  a  letter  from  Josey 
Barrell  in  Lisbon.  He  desired  to  be  remembered  to  you 


268  FAMILY     LETTERS 

and  Brother  Jack.  I  have  nothing  new  to  acquaint  you 
of.  General  Knox,  who  is  the  bearer  of  this,  can  inform 
you  more  than  I  can.  My  best  wishes  attend  you  all; 
good  night  my  peace  be  with  you. 

Your  affectionate  Sister, 

SARAH  BARRELL. 

Mr.  and  Mrs  Graham  1  are  going  to  the  Southard;  they 
leave  this  place  sometime  this  week.  When  they  arrive 
at  York  I  wish  you  would  notice  them,  as  they  were  polite 
enough  to  call  for  our  Commands.  S.  BARRELL. 

Addressed:  Mr.  Sam.  B.  Webb,  New  York.    By  General  Knox. 


MARIA  HENRIETTA  STABLES  TO  SARAH  BANCKER. 

Madam: 

I  wrote  you  the  1 5th  of  May  last,  in  answer  to  yours, 
wherein  I  told  you  I  should  draw  on  you  for  three  Hun 
dred  Pounds,  in  two  Bills  —  one  at  Sixty  Days  sight,  the 
other  at  Ninety;  I  have  been  very  favourable  to  you,  in 
drawing  for  so  small  a  sum,  —  so  large  a  one  being  due  to 
me;  you  say  the  Lands  are  now  lett  in  defferent  Farms; 
and  I  am  informed  for  this  two  Years  past  they  have  been 
Cultivated;  therefore  you  are  now  inabled  to  pay  me  part 
of  the  long  arrears  due  to  me.  Mr,  Bancker  was  repre 
sented  to  me  as  a  Man  of  Large  property,  and  unblemish't 
Character,  I  dare  say  Mr.  Neave  found  him  so  —  or  he 
would  not  have  proposed  my  sinking  the  Money  with  him. 
I  hope  Mr.  Neave  &  Son  will  be  with  you  before  the  Bills 

1  Catharine  Macauley  Graham,  of  England,  whose  visit  to  the 
United  States  attracted  no  little  attention. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        269 

become  due;  as  Trustee  for  me  they  have    a  Power   to 
settle  with  you; 

I  am  Madam  your  Hume.  Servt., 

H.  M.  STABLES. 
WALTON  UPON  THAMES,  SURREY,  May  3Oth,  1785. 

Addressed:    Mrs.  Sarah  Bancker,  widow  of  the  late  Mr.    Richard 
Bancker,  Merchant,  of  New  York,  America. 


FROM  WINTHRO;P  SARGENT. 
Dear  Webb :  BOSTON,  June  ist,  1785. 

A  young  friend  of  mine  is  gone  on  to  Philadelphia  and 
Baltimore  by  water,  and  returns  through  York  to  this  place. 
He  is  a  son  of  Mr.  Sergent,  of  about  21  years,  and  tho'  he 
has  never  before  been  from  home  is  I  think  an  accomplished 
lad.  I  believe  you  saw  him  when  you  was  last  in  this 
place.  I  have  given  him  a  line  to  Clarkson  and  Platt, 
and  should  have  wrote  to  you  by  him  but  that  he  was  in 
haste  and  intended  introducing  him  in  this  way.  Will 
you  be  so  obliging  as  to  introduce  him  to  some  of  our 
worthy  friends,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  I  will  esteem  it  a 
favor.  Believe  me  sincerely  yours,  W.  SARGENT. 


LANDS  NEAR  CROWN  POINT,  NEW  YORK. 

No.  i.  — A  Deed  given  by  Sir  Henry  Moore,  Governor 
and  Captain  General  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  to 
John  Curten  who  had  served  in  his  Majesty's  48th  Regi 
ment  of  Foot,  for  200  acres  of  land,  in  the  County  of  Albany, 
lying  on  the  east  side  of  Lake  Champlain,  distinguished  in 
a  map  by  Lot  No.  One  hundred  and  Twenty-Three,  given 


270  FAMILY     LETTERS 

and  signed  by  the  said  Governor  Moore  in  the  City  of 
New  York,  the  3Oth  day  of  June  1766. 

No.  2  -  -  John  Garten's  Lease  and  Release  to  John  Wat 
son  of  the  above  named  200  acres  of  land,  dated  New  York, 
the  9th  and  loth  day  of  July  1771. 

No.  3  -  -  John  Watson's  Deed  of  Sale  to  Richard  Bancker 
for  the  above  named  200  acres  of  land,  dated  the  I4th  day 
of  June,  1769. 

No.  4.  —  One  Deed  of  50  acres  of  land  given  by  Jeddediah 
Ferris  to  John  Watson,  lying  on  the  east  side  of  Lake 
Champlain,  and  distinguished  by  Lot.  No.  32,  lying  about 
five  and  a  half  miles  north  from  Crown  point.  Said  deed 
is  dated  the  3Oth  day  of  November  1768. 

No.  5.  —  One  other  Deed  from  Jeddediah  Ferris  to 
John  Watson  for  50  acres  of  land,  known  and  distinguished 
by  Lot  No.  67,  dated  the  3Oth  day  of  March,  1769. 

New  York,  6th  June  1785.  I  do  acknowledge  to  have 
received  from  Saml.  B.  Webb  the  above  described  Deeds 
and  Leases  for  the  purpose  of  examining  into  the  situa 
tion  of  the  lands,  and  that  they  are  his  property,  to  be 
delivered  him  so  soon  as  I  have  made  the  necessary  in 
quiries  about  the  state  of  the  lands. 

WM.  BLODGET. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  think  you  are  now  indebted  to  me  not  less  than  several 
letters,  but  for  some  reason  you  have  wholly  neglected 
writing  of  me.  If  its  done  with  design  I  wish  to  know  it. 
Altho  it  seems  extremely  odd,  yet  I  will  not  at  present  har 
bor  such  a  disagreeable  sentiment;  but  I  must  beg  you  to 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB  27! 

put  me  out  of  suspense,  and  write  me  in  your  old  friendly 
brotherly  stile.  I  have  expected  you  here  long  before  this 
with  Aunt  Polly;  both  Mrs.  Webb  and  and  I  shall  be  happy 
to  see  you  so  soon  as  you  can  make  it  convenient. 

Write  me  per  the  return  of  the  post  about  those  goods 
that  were  sent  you  by  Simpson.1  I  wish  you  would  write 
me  particular  about  his  orders.  Jonathan  is  now  in  the 
country,  and  demands  for  those  Cursed  Goods  the  Hard 
Cash  and  the  Interest  —  so  for  the  Monies  I  have  Col 
lected  to  keep  His  Estate  from  Confiscation.  I  think  we 
shall  differ.  Jonathan  is  a  little  Hotspur  that  must  be 
Coold  down. 

I  am  full  of  Business  to  get  a  full  settlement  of  all  those 
old  affairs.  Do  tell  me  how  you  find  Mrs.  Bancker's 
estate.  I  hope  not  much  Involved  or  troublesome.  What 
has  been  your  Delay  for  not  coming  this  way?  Brother 
Jack  is  now  at  Middletown,  and  has  thoughts  of  going  on 
to  Quebec.  I  think  He  will  have  an  agreeable  jaunt. 
Stephen  Chester,  Tommy  Leverett,  both  are  going.  I  wish 
it  may  open  a  Door  of  Proffitable  Trade.  We  have  two 
small  vessels  that  will  sail  this  week.  I  am  quite  anxious 
about  some  Bills  in  the  Hands  of  Mr.  Atkinson.  I  feel  the 
delays  will  make  me  loose  my  Monies.  I  wish  you  would 
Call  on  Mr.  Atkinson  and  give  him  a  Receipt  for  the  Bills 
and  forward  me,  that  I  may  arrange  them  and  forward  by 
the  first  good  Opportunity  to  England.  I  am  Dear  Brother 
Yr  Most  Affectionate  Br.,  Jos.  WEBB. 

[WETHERSFIELD,]  June  27th,  1785 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York. 


1  John   Simpson.     See  p.   13,  supra.     Jonathan  was  his  son  by  a 
first  wife. 


272  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  July  5th,  1785. 
Dear  Brother: 

For  Heaven's  sake  keep  me  no  longer  in  suspense.  Write 
me  you  mean  to  neglect  me,  or  write  me  one  line  you  do 
not  mean  it.  I  believe  you  are  in  debt  not  less  than  half  a 
dozen  letters.  Upon  my  word  I  can  make  no  reasonable 
excuse  for  you,  but  I  am  too  fond  a  Brother  to  give  up  that 
its  meant.  I  am  conscious  I  do  not  deserve  it.  Brother 
Jack  is  gone  to  Quebec  in  company  with  Leverett,  Stephen 
Chester,  [and]  Wait  Goodrich.  I  wish  him  success.  Our 
adventure  is  about  four  or  five  hundred  consequence,  half 
his'n  and  half  mine.  I  wrote  him  he  might  take  the  whole; 
or  if  I  did  not  hear  from  him,  I  should  consider  our  concern 
jointly  and  severally.  I  hope  he  may  do  well.  [Miles] 
Sherbrooke  is  now  at  New  London;  will  be  at  New  Haven 
on  Saturday.  Leaves  New  Haven  on  Tuesday  for  Horse- 
neck.  When  are  you  coming  this  way  with  Aunt  Polly? 
If  you  wish,  and  you  come  by  water  to  New  Haven,  I  will 
send  my  carriage  for  you.  Indeed  I  hope  I  shall  meet  you 
at  New  Haven  next  week,  where  I  have  thoughts  of  going 
for  the  health  of  my  good  Mrs.  Webb,  who  is  as  thin  as  you 
ever  saw.  I  wish  you  would  call  on  Atkinson  and  get  up 
my  bills.  He  asks  for  his  brother's  receipt.  I  cannot  find 
one,  but  I  must  get  you  to  give  one  in  my  behalf.  I  shall 
lose  by  delay,  perhaps  a  total  loss  if  I  do  not  attend  it; 
therefore  you  see  of  the  consequence.  Forward  it  per  the 
first  opportunity.  Will  you  write  me  the  price  current 
with  you.  Your  affectionate  Br.,  Jos.  WEBB. 

What  says  friend  McEvers  since  his  return?  What  is 
Congress  about?  Is  there  not  an  opening  for  you?  What 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        273 

are  your  prospects?  Will  you  consent  to  let  me  know  all 
these  affairs,  and  do  you  meet  with  any  difficulties  with 
the  heirs  of  your  late  Mrs.  W-  -,1  Will  you  forward 
your  instruments  to  Col.  Chester? 

Addressed:   General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York. 


FROM  RICHARD  GARY,  JUNIOR. 

ST.  CROIX,  8  July,  1785. 
My  dear  friend: 

This  is  just  to  advise  you  that  I  wrote  you  last  week  by 
Captain  Campbell,  in  answer  to  your  several  favors.  I 
also  wrote  Mrs.  Gary  by  the  same  Opportunity.  I  expect 
to  finish  my  Crop  by  the  last  of  next  week,  and  shall  em 
bark  for  N.  York  or  Boston  in  about  20  Days,  I  hope. 
Capt.  Lowndes  is  getting  under  way,  so  God  bless  you. 

My  love  to  all  friends.     Yours  very  cordially, 

RICHARD  GARY,  JUNIOR. 

Capt.  Campbell  was  in  a  Brig  bound  to  N.  York. 

Addressed :  Brigadier  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York.  Favored 
by  Capt.  Lowndes. 


FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON. 

MANOR  LIVINGSTON,  Aug.  10,  1785. 
Dear  General: 

I  was  under  the  necessity  of  leaving  New  York  some 
days  sooner  than  I  did  intend,  by  which  means  I  found  it 

1  July  15,  1785,  administration  was  granted  to  Webb  on  the  estate 
of  Richard  Bancker,  as  Sarah,  the  executrix  under  the  merchant's  will, 
died  before  the  estate  was  settled. 


274  FAMILY    LETTERS 

impossible  to  collect  monies  sufficient  to  make  a  payment 
to  you  at  the  time  intended;  neither  could  I  sell  flour  for 
any  price  that  was  a  saving  one,  to  raise  monies  for  you; 
but  be  assured  you  shall  be  paid  both  principal  and  interest 
as  soon  as  possible.  I  am  with  sentiments  of  true  Respect 
Your  friend, 

HENRY  LIVINGSTON. 


FROM  DQ.  DEBARTZCHY. 

FORT  SCHUYLER,  August  28th,  1785. 
Dear  Sir: 

Your  Packet  of  the  i8th  by  Mr.  Dawson  I  received;  am 
much  indebted  for  your  excuses  in  my  favor  and  hope  they 
may  succeed.  I  shall  leave  this  place  today.  Shall  write 
you  from  Oswego.  Please  make  my  compliments  to  Mrs. 
Dunscomb  and  family,  Baron  Steuben,  Coll.  [Nicholas] 
Fish,  Major  North  and  Major  [John  Francis]  Hamtranck. 
I  am  Your  friend  and  Humbl  Servt., 

DO.  DEBARTZCHY. 

Genl.  Webb.     Pr.  favor  Dr.  Elliot. 


FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN,  JUNIOR. 

BOSTON,  3rd  October,  1785. 
Dear  Webb: 

Yours  by  Saturday's  post  I  received.  I  can  only  say 
I  wish  you  had  been  in  the  way  to  purchase  the  articles  I 
wrote  for;  they  would  have  answered  well  at  the  price  I 
quoted.  Business  seems  at  present  very  dull,  and  I  dont 
know  of  any  article  between  this  and  your  market  worth 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        275 

attention.     Speculations  of  every  kind  between  this  place 
and  York  depend  entirely  in  expedition. 

I  have  thoughts  of  going  either  to  one  of  the  Carolinas 
or  Jamaica.  I  have  received  advantageous  proposals  re 
specting  both,  but  am  not  certain  which  to  accept.  Shall 
write  you  more  particularly  when  I  have  made  up  my  mind. 
In  the  meantime  with  respects,  compt.  and  Love  where  due, 
I  remain,  Dr  Webb,  Your  Friend,  &c., 

JONATHAN  FREEMAN,  JUNIOR. 

N.  B.  Remember,  never  tuck  a  little  bit  of  paper  in 
your  Letter  again  if  you  would  save  double  Postage.  - 

Economy 

Addressed:    Samuel  B.  Webb,  Merchant,  New  York. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

LIVINGSTONS  MANNOR,  3rd  October,  1785. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  arrived  here  yesterday  from  Albany,  where  I  was 
detained  a  few  days  by  our  mutual  friend,  Col.  Henry 
Livingston,  who  I  came  here  with  by  water.  I  left  Que- 
beck  the  I3th  September,  at  which  place  I  arrived  after 
having  fifty-eight  days  passage  from  New  London.  The 
particulars  of  my  Tour  I  will  refer  till  I  have  the  happiness 
of  seeing  you,  which  I  hope  will  be  soon  in  Weathersfield. 
I  go  from  this  to  Salsbury  this  week,  to  examine  our  prop 
erty  at  that  place,  and  I  am  determined  to  devote  this  fall 
and  winter  to  the  settlement  of  our  estate. 

The  Estate  you  had  to  settle  I  hope  is  closed,  and  your 
mind  must  be  much  more  at  ease. 

Remember  me  Affectionately  to  Aunt  P[oll]y  and  to  all 


276  FAMILY     LETTERS 

my  friends  with  you,  who  I  wish  to  see  exceedingly,  but 
Business  will  not  admit.  I  shall  be  anxious  to  hear  from 
you  on  my  arrival  at  our  Brothers,  and  I  must  request  you 
not  to  let  me  be  disappointed. 

I  must  request  you  to  remember  me  very  particularly 
to  our  worthy  friends  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sherbrook.  The 
latter  I  hope  has  perfectly  recovered  her  health.  If  you 
can  by  any  means  procure  me  a  well  broke  pointer  you  will 
render  me  a  very  essential  service  by  sending  him  to  Weath- 
ersfield.  Our  friend  Jack  Shaw1  has  one  that  was  Beach's, 
which  I  think  he  will  give  you. 

I  am  yours  affectionately, 

JOHN  WEBB. 

Addressed:   General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

NEW  HAVEN,  I7th  October,  1785. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

Some  matters  of  Business  has  oblig'd  my  comeing  on  as 
farr  as  Horseneck,  at  which  place  I  expect  to  continue 
two  or  three  days.  I  leave  this  very  early  tomorrow 
morning.  I  arrived  from  Quebec  to  my  Brothers  on 
wensday  last  after  a  very  fatigueing  jant.  I  found  Mrs. 
W[ebb]  was  very  much  disappointed  that  Aunt  P[oIIy]  had 
not  been  there.  I  expected  to  have  found  her  there.  My 
inclination  leads  me  to  New  York^  but  business  prevents 
me  from  comeplying.  I  must  request  you  to  remember 
me  particularly  to  Aunt  P.  and  the  family  you  are  with, 
and  to  our  worthy  Circle  in  the  City.  I  expect  you  will 

1  In  1799  John  Shaw  had  a  house  on  Pearl  Street. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        277 

write  me  very  particularly  by  the  first  opportunity.  I  am 
very  desirous  of  seeing  a  long  letter  from  you.  I  should 
write  you  more  fully,  but  as  the  Stages  are  very  uncertain 
I  shall  only  ask  you  a  few  questions.  Did  you  receive  a 
letter  from  me  dated  at  the  Mannor  of  Livingston?  Who 
are  those  that  are  giveing  you  trouble  respecting  the  Es 
tate?  You  must  be  particular  in  remembering  me  to  my 
most  worthy  and  Amiable  friend  N.  S.1  Esq.  also  to  the  one 
in  Smith's  —  and  Bd.  Way.  I  have  a  vast  many  things 
to  say,  but  will  omit  them  till  we  meet.  When  that  will 
be,  god  only  knows.  If  Aunt  P.  will  come  out  in  the 
Stage  I  shall  be  at  Horseneck  and  will  accompany  her. 
Write  if  you  can  by  the  return  of  the  Stage.  May  every 
Happiness  attend  you  is  the  sincere  wish  of  your  friend, 

J.  WT. 

Excuse    this    scrawl.     What    are    the    Grand    Counsel 
doing? 

Addressed:   Genl.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  No.  4  Great  Dock  Street,  New 
York.     Favored  by  Doctr.  Eustice. 


FROM  JOHN  DUYCKINCK. 

NEW  BRUNSWICK,  October  the  24th,  1785. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  received  your  favor  of  the  19.  inst.  and  am  sorry  that 
any  misunderstanding  should  be  relative  to  the  Mills.  I 
very  plainly  told  you  that  I  would  take  the  Mills  on  four 
yearly  payments  at  fourteen  hundred  pounds,  York  Cur 
rency,  begining  first  of  May  next,  on  consideration  that 


Shaler. 


278  FAMILY     LETTERS 

I  could  know  imediately,  that  I  might  have  had  time  to 
repare  the  House  and  have  moved  my  Family  this  fall. 
Although  a  greater  price  than  they  are  worth,  this  was  the 
motive  that  induced  me  to  offer  that  very  extraordinary 
price;  for  if  I  had  have  given  a  greater  price  than  the  Mill 
possibly  was  worth,  I  would  have  been  the  gainer,  by  have- 
ing  my  Family  together.  I  do  assure  you  upon  my  honor 
that  I  think  by  continuing  at  the  Mills  since  the  war  on 
the  uncertainty  that  I  have  had  them,  has  been  at  least 
five  hundred  pounds  damage,  which  has  caused  me  to 
promise  myself  to  have  nothing  to  do  with  them,  and  have 
made  up  my  mind  to  purchas  a  Mill  some  where  else.  I 
did  on  fryday  last  purchase  a  Mill  within  one  mile  of  this 
place,  but  to  my  great  mortification  the  person  declined 
at  the  time  the  writings  where  to  have  been  executed.  I 
still  expect  in  the  course  of  next  week  that  the  bargain  will 
be  compleated.  I  wish  you  had  a  good  price  for  your 
mills.  I  have  always  did  whatever  was  in  my  power  to 
sell  them,  and  have  endeavoured  to  raise  the  value  of 
them.  Notwithstanding  I  ofered  you  that  great  price,  if 
you  recolect,  I  recommended  that  you  ought  to  have  sold 
them  to  Mr.  Wallace  at  the  time  he  ofered  twelve  hundred 
pounds,  and  I  now  recomend  it  you  that  if  you  are  ofered 
one  thousand  pounds,  not  to  wait  to. know  if  it  suits  this 
one  or  the  other  one,  but  imediately  determine  your  bargain 
and  shake  them  from  you.  I  know  the  general  voice  of 
the  People  is  that  if  you  get  nine  hundred  pounds  for  your 
mills  it  is  the  extent  of  their  value,  although  my  opinion 
is  more.  However  as  you  wish  me  to  keep  charge  of  your 
Mills  untill  May  next  I  will  do  it,  although  I  do  not  expect 
to  be  their,  or  do  any  business  at  them.  I  wish  that  you 
had  have  been  more  particular  with  respect  to  the  bolts, 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        279 

screens,  &c.  because  I  shall  want  the  bolts,  &c.  at  this 
place,  and  will  be  sorry  to  take  them  out  of  the  Mills, 
because  others  must  be  placed  before  business  can  be  done. 
Besides  it  will  have  an  odd  appearance,  notwithstanding  it 
will  not  suit  me  to  purchase  others  before  I  know  certain 
weather  you  take  them  or  not.  I  will  do  everything  in 
power  to  your  intrest  with  respect  to  the  Mills. 

You  have  been  kind  enough  to  write  of  Mr.  Oberle.  I 
hearwith  send  you  the  several  accounts  of  the  flour  and 
proceeds  of  the  wheat  taken  and  belonging  to  Evert  and 
John  Duyckinck  out  of  Mr.  Abraham  Van  Nest's  Mills, 
as  also  my  afidavits,  which  will  through  light  and  freshen 
the  memory  of  Mr.  Oberle,  as  also  other  afidavids.  Per 
haps  he  may  give  a  certificate,  which  if  he  does  let  it  be 
given  in  the  name  of  John  Duyckinck,  surviving  partner 
of  Evert.  If  it  is  to  be  antedated,  then  in  the  name  of 
Evert  and  John.  I  wish  you  to  write  of  Mr.  Oberle  imedi- 
ately,  that  the  same  papers  here  sent  may  be  returned  with 
the  same  boat,  Capt.  Vorhees,  or  anything  that  may  be 
agreed  between  Mr.  Oberle  and  yourself.  I  am  with  every 
respect  your  sincere  friend  and  Humble  Servant, 

JOHN  DUYCKINCK. 


FROM  JOHN  LIVINGSTON. 

Mr.  John  Livingston  requests  the  favor  of  Genl  Webb's 
company  to  dinner  on  Saturday  next  at  4  o'clock. 

Wednesday  Noon 

[NEW  YORK,  January,  1786.] 


28O  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

Dear  Brother:  WETHERSFIELD,  January  1st,  1786. 

Not  one  line  have  I  received  from  either  you  or  Brother 
Jack;  to  me  it  appears  extremely  odd.  Just  after  you  left 
me  Maj.  Edwd.  Bulkley  call'd  to  see  you;  thinks  extremely 
hard  of  you;  says  you  owe  him  a  Sum  of  Mony  which  you 
promised  payment  long  before  this.  He  was  hurt,  said  he 
had  always  been  your  first  and  fast  friend.  He  was  told  by 
Numbers  at  the  first  they  would  answer.  He  would  think 
otherway  before  you  had  done  with  Him.  I  told  him,  I 
never  knew  you  owed  him  a  farthing;  I  wisht  him  to  sus 
pend  every  hard  thought  untill  he  saw  you.  You  would, 
I  engaged,  do  him  strict  Justice.  In  short  I  soften'd  him 
down  and  made  matters  easy  for  the  present,  but  He  thinks 
hard  of  you.  If  agreeable,  I  wish  you  would  write  me  how 
matters  are  between  you,  and  where  you  have  fail'd  of  your 
promises  to  him.  Your  last  visit  here  was  such  a  flying 
visit,  that  it  seems  more  like  a  Dream  than  a  reality  that 
you  have  been  with  us.  I  wish  it  had  been  consistent  with 
your  Business  to  have  staid  with  us  longer.  What  shall 
be  done,  my  Good  Brother,  to  fill  my  Tan  Yards  with 
Hides?  Once  filPd  would  be  something  genteel  for  my 
family  for  Life.  Can  you  help  me  to  get  a  quantity  from 
the  Havana?  How  great  is  your  consequence?  Can  it  be 
done?  Consult  with  Brother  Jack.  Its  of  much  and  seri 
ous  consequence  to  us  as  a  family.  Once  filPd  will  make 
us  all  hold  up  our  Heads.  If  I  have  friends,  now  is  the 
time  to  help  me.  Write  me  a  long  circumstantial  letter. 
Will  McEvers  help  or  not?  Jemmy  has  been  with  me  this 
day  and  taken  New  Year's  dinner.  Where  is  Mrs.  Sherry? 
Where  is  Mr.  Sherbrooke  and  all  our  friends?  Your  sister 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        28l 

Webb,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bull,  and  all  the  Circle  desire  love. 
Little  Betsy  Bancker  say  Yes,  Uncle  Sam  (all  that  we  [can] 
make  the  little  puss  say).  All  the  children  are  hearty  and 
well.  Have  you  good  sleighing  in  New  York?  Write  me 
fully  and  often.  Let  Br.  Jack  see  this;  tell  him  not  to  for 
get  me  but  do  the  needful.  You  must  accept  my  thanks 
for  your  paying  Mr.  Lott.  I  wish  when  you  or  Brother 
Jack  answer  my  letters,  you  would  endeavor  to  answer 
them  by  looking  over  my  letter  of  the  time,  and  answer  it 
as  particular  as  possible.  A—  -  has  been  a  series  of  un 
easiness  since  you  left  us,  but  its  again  smooth  weather. 
Tell  Brother  Jack  some  Cheap  Breakfast  Tea  will  please, 
but  I  do  not  love  to  ask  him.  He's  a  kind  indulgent  ready 
and  obliging  Br.  whenever  its  in  his  power.  A  little  good 
parchment  and  some  Vellum  will  not  come  amiss  when  he 
comes  home.  All  the  family  desire  their  most  tender  and 
affectionate  regards  to  you  and  H  [seal].  Yrs  Sincerely, 

J  WEBB. 

If  possible  get  out  of  J.  W[adsworth's]  Debt;  its  the 
soonest  way  to  get  him  to  help. 

Sunday  Evening,  Jany.  i,  1786. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York,    Per  Cap.  Fowler. 


JOSEPPI  WEBB  TO  JOHN  WEBB. 

Dear  Brother: 

Accept  my  thanks  for  your  Letter.  I  did  intend  to 
come  to  York  with  Mrs.  W[ebb],  but  I  shall  wait  for  the 
explanation  of  your  letter.  Write  me  per  the  return  of 
this  post.  Its  true  I  owe  Mony  in  [New]  York,  but  shurly 


282  FAMILY     LETTERS 

[to]  no  one  that  would  hurt  me.  What  do  you  mean? 
What  do  you  allude  to?  I  do  not  wish  to  come  to  be  in 
sulted  attached  or  touched.  I  thought  it  would  be  of 
service  to  go  and  chatt  with  them,  and  tell  them  what  I  was 
about,  and  push  for  a  Quantity  of  Hides.  A  Quantity  of 
Hides,  a  thousand  pounds  worth,  would  be  a  resort  for  a 
something  for  all  our  family;  its  of  amazing  consequence. 
Should  McEvers  help  me  to  three  or  four  thousand  Hides, 
how  soon  after  I  could  pay  him  and  all  other  my  Debts  in 
1 8  months  after  I  should  receive  the  Hides.  I  should  be 
able  to  pay  Every  farthing  I  owe  in  the  world.  Write  me 
fully  for  you  make  me  anxious.  Yrs  Sincerely, 

[No  signature.] 
January  Qth,  '86. 

Yr  Sister  W[ebb]  and  all  desire  to  be  remembered  to  you 
most  affectionately. 

Addressed:   To  Capt.  John  Webb,  to  the  Care  of  Mr.  John  Alsop, 
South  Street,  New  York.    Per  Doct.  Cutler. 


SARAH  WICKHAM  1  TO  MRS.  RICHARD  MORRIS. 2 

Dear  Mrs.  Morris: 

I  presume  to  ask  the  favor  of  your  Slay  for  two  hours 
this  afternoon  (knowing  your  readiness  to  oblige). 

Fan  wishes  to  Call  on  Mrs.  Williams,  Mrs.  [Henry]  Knox, 

1  Wife  of  William  Wickham  of  New  York. 

2  Richard  Morris  was  a  judge  of  the  New  York  Supreme  Court  of 
Judicature,  and  lived  in  the  city.     He  was  a  member  of  the  State 
convention   to   ratify  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.      Soon 
after  1802  he  removed  to  Claverack,  Columbia  County,  whither  Webb 
also  retired.     The  son,  Robert  Hunter  Morris,  was  long  prominent  in 
New  York  politics. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        283 

Miss  Vanburch,  and  several  others,  as  a  part  of  each  of 
their  families  have  been  here  today.  And  as  your  daughter 
I  flatter  myself  you  feal  interest'd.  And  be  assur'd  no 
person  will  be  more  watchfull  to  return  the  obligation 
than  your  friend, 

SARAH  WICKHAM. 
[NEW  YORK,  January  30,  1786.] 


FROM  WILLIAM  WICKHAM. 

Mr.  Wickham  would  rejoice  at  an  opportunity  of  show 
ing  Mr.  Wadsworth  every  Respect,  and  would  have  de 
livered  him  a  Ticket  this  morning,  if  he  had  thought  him 
self  at  liberty  to  have  done  it  by  the  Rules  of  the  Assembly. 
He  has  spoke  of  the  matter  today.  If  Gen.  Webb  is  of  a 
different  opinion,  Mr.  Wickham  would  be  glad  to  see  him 
on  the  subject. 

[NEW  YORK,  February,  1786.] 


AN    INVITATION.1 

Messrs.  Kean,  Lee  and  Hindman  2  present  their  Compli 
ments  to  Genl.  Webb,  and  will  do  themselves  the  Honor 
of  waiting  upon  him  at  Dinner  tomorrow. 

[March  3d,  1786] 


1  See  a  volume  of  invitations  printed  as  Some  Social  Notes  ad 
dressed  to  Samuel  Blachley  Webb,  1776-1791. 

2  Members  of  Congress. 


284  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  NATHANIEL  SHALER. 
Dear  Webb: 

As  the  weather  is,  and  as  things  now  stand,  is  it  intended 
to  go  to  the  Island  this  day?  If  so  what  hour  are  we  to 
assemble  for  the  purpose?  Your  not  sending  for  the 
Trunk  makes  me  conclude  you  intend  to  do  without  it. 

If  you  see  D—  -  before  me,  kiss  her  hand  for  (but  noth 
ing  further).  Your  old  friend, 

N.  SHALER. 

Friday  Mng  10  o'clock 

[NEW  YORK,  March,  1786.] 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  I2th  March,  1786. 
Dear  B[rother]: 

What  can  be  the  reason  of  your  long  silence?  I  have 
been  extremely  anxious  to  hear  from  you  ever  since  the 
last  letter,  which  gave  me  information  that  there  was  a 
prospect  that  all  kinds  of  Public  securities  must  fall;  nor 
do  I  know  whether  you  have  received  the  Notes  I  for 
warded  you.  For  should  they  not  have  answered  at  that 
time  with  you,  they  would  have  fetch'd  3/  immediately  in 
Boston,  tho'  I  am  confident  that  you  will  do  everything 
that  ought  to  be  done.  I  am  the  more  anxious  on  the 
Acct.  of  drawing  on  you,  for  should  they  not  be  sold  it 
might  put  you  to  some  inconvenience.  I  have  been  able 
to  put  off  some  of  the  people  for  ten  days  longer,  but  at  the 
end  of  that  time  they  must  be  paid.  I  almost  begin  to 
think  that  my  evil  genius  is  determined  that  I  shall  not  be 
prosper'd  in  any  of  my  conserns.  I  intend  trying  to  send 
you  and  my  friend  N.  Shaler  a  salmon  by  the  next  stage. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        285 

You  see  that  the  farest  prospects  are  sometimes  blasted. 
I  had  promised  myself  from  our  late  plan  some  success, 
but  its  like  many  other  promises  I  have  made. 

Never  was  there  a  person  so  completely  unhappy  in  their 
situation  as  I  am  in  mine  —  neither  Business,  Pleasure,  no 
any  one  person  that  I  may  make  myself  happy  by  convers 
ing  for  an  hour.  This  join'd  with  my  stock  of  paciences, 
and  my  natural  happy  and  contented  turn  of  mind  join'd 
all  together,  make  me  completely  happy,  as  you  would 
judge  should  you  see  me.  I  have  just  heard  from  Boston 
that  commutation  is  upon  the  rise,  that  they  are  selling 
from  3  /  to  3/6.  I  think  there  ought  some  mony  to  be 
immediately  sent  me.  I  am  sorry  that  I  did  not  send 
them  to  Boston,  tho'  I  am  convinc'd  that  they  must  rise. 
I  could  have  purchased  them  at  2/2  since  the  news  from 
New  York.  Our  friend  Colo.  Platt  I  am  shure  will  do 
everything  that  is  cleaver.  He  may  depend  that  I  will  do 
the  Business  as  much  to  his  and  your  Satisfaction  as  in  my 
power.  I  have  heard  that  Major  Warner  sold  the  rest  of 
his  yesterday  for  2/9.  Do  my  good  Brother  be  very 
particular  in  writing  me  by  every  conveyance  that  will  not 
cost  too  much. 

March  i8th. 

I  received  your  letter  by  our  friend  D.  Wadsworth,  and 
the  small  supply  of  mony;  tho  small,  it  came  very  accept 
able.  I  am  confident  that  the  commutation  must  rise,  as 
it  has  of  late  taken  a  rise  in  Boston.1  I  wish  you  in  your 

1  At  this  time  there  was  much  speculation  in  the  various  forms  of 
notes,  bills  and  promises,  which  had  been  issued  by  the  Continent  and 
States  during  the  war,  for  the  payment  of  the  troops  and  purchase  of 
supplies.  Fortunes  were  made  and  lost,  and  the  many  forms  of  paper 
gave  every  opportunity  for  taking  chances. 


286  FAMILY     LETTERS 

answers  be  more  particular,  tho'  I  think  I  have  said  every 
thing  in  my  power  on  this  subject.  You  must  tell  our 
friend  Platt  that  at  the  time  I  purchased  those  Notes  that 
Brunson,  Fowler,  Pomeroy,  Buttler  and  many  others,  were 
biding  on  each  other;  but  that  if  he  enters  into  any  con 
tract,  he  may  depend  on  my  doing  everything  in  my  power 
for  our  mutual  interests.  I  sent  Peter  to  Windsor  on 
Saturday,  but  was  not  able  to  get  a  salmon;  but  the  first  I 
can,  shall  be  sent  to  you  and  my  good  friend  N.  S[haler]. 
I  am  a  little  surprised  that  he  has  not  wrote  me  a  line  since 
I  left  New  York. 

You  have  never  acknowled'd  the  receipt  of  all  the  Notes 
sent  you.  I  sent  by  Mr.  D.  Hinsdale  482  20/90,  by  Mr. 
Grant  543  66/90,  by  Post  1264  72/90,  by  young  Mr.  Belden 
114  Dollars.  I  think  before  this  they  must  have  taken  a 
rise.  Do  push  to  send  me  some  mony.  I  find  that  Miss 
Denning  has  wrote  our  neighbors  that  Miss  Alsop  is  to  be 
married  to  King,1  the  member  of  Congress,  in  six  weeks. 
Women's  truths.  I  wish  you  could  find  a  few  hours  to 
sacrafice  to  your  friend  and  Brother.  If  you  lay  out  eight 
een  or  twenty  Dollars  for  a  pr.  Ladies  stone  shoe  Buckles, 
you  can  send  them  by  Capt.  John  Wright.  You  must  pay 
yourself  for  the  trouble  to  purchase  them.  Its  very  extraor 
dinary  that  our  friend  James  2  does  not  pay  that  Acct. 
I  wish  you  to  push  him;  also  to  push  Thompson.  You 
say  nothing  respecting  the  public  matters  left  in  your 
hands.  It's  given  great  pleasure  to  all  the  Gentlemen  in 
this  state  that  the  matter  of  Paper  mony  is  fallen  through. 

1  Rufus  King,  who  married,  March  31,  1786,  Mary,  only  daughter 
of  John  Alsop.    An  account  of  the  wedding  is  in  Life  and  Correspond 
ence  of  Rufus  King,  I,  130  n. 

2  Seagrove. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        287 

I  can  turn  your  Certificates  into  something  should  you 
send  them  me,  tho'  they  are  from  9/  to  io/.  I  can  turn 
them  better  than  that  for  you.  You  may  depend  that 
you  had  not  better  keep  them  for  any  length  of  time. 
You  had  better  send  them  me  with  your  Notes  from  this 
State  by  Wright.  Perhaps  it  will  be  agreeable  to  Jemmy 
to  send  me  one  Hhd.  loaf  sugar,  one-half  of  single  Refined 
and  the  other  double.  It  must  not  be  shipt  as  loaf  sugar. 
My  Br[other],  and  Sister  W[ebb]  are  very  unwell  and  con- 
find  to  their  Rooms.  They  desire  their  love  to  you  and 
Aunt  P[olly.]  I  join  and  say  may  every  happiness  be  your 
lott. 

J.  W. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Wensday  Evening,  29th  March,  1786. 

My  Dear  Brother: 

You  cannot  imagine  to  what  trouble  I  been  put  to  by 
your  not  sending  me  the  mony.  This  day  I  had  to  borrow 
fifty  pounds  to  pay  the  drafts  which  were  out.  Nor  must 
you  think  odd  of  my  repeating  so  frequently  that  I  can  do 
nothing  accept  I  have  the  mony.  I  could  this  day  have 
taken  one  thousand  Dollars  had  I  cash;  but  there  are  now 
twenty  agents  purchasing  them  here,  some  from  Boston, 
Rode  Island  and  New  York.  I  have  been  ever  since 
Monday  to  Coalchester,  and  for  the  want  of  cash  have 
only  purchased  three  hundred  forty-three  and  one-half 
dollars,  which  has  taken  all  the  mony  I  had  and  that  I  could 
borrow.  I  am  afraid  that  it  will  [be]  no  object  for  three. 
At  present  it  is  not  I  am  shure,  for  one-third  of  the  profits 
of  my  last  purchase  will  not  pay  my  expence.  They  come 


288  FAMILY     LETTERS 

at  2/6  on  the  pound,  tho  I  have  lain  a  plan  to  purchase  a 
quantity  more  should  the  mony  come  on  in  season.  You 
will  receive  this  by  a  very  honest  fellow  by  name  Willard, 
who  ses  that  he  will  deliver  it  with  his  own  hands. 

You  no  that  everything  depends  on  a  young  fellow's 
first  setting  out  in  Business,  that  he  is  very  punctual  in 
keeping  his  word.  Do  ennable  me  to  do  that.  I  am  so 
exceedingly  fatigu'd  that  I  am  not  able  to  send  to  Hart 
ford  to  know  whether  I  have  any  letters  from  you  by  this 
stage.  I  wish  you  to  ask  the  Post  Master  Genl.1  in  New 
York  to  put  your  letters  into  the  Midleton  packet,  as 
there  Mr.  Hobby  is  always  polite  enough  to  forward  them 
to  me,  which  makes  me  able  to  answer  your  letters  by  the 
return  of  stage  that  brings  them,  and  saves  the  trouble  of 
sending  to  Hartford.  Should  you  have  it  in  your  power  to 
answer  my  long  scrawls  particularly,  you  will  oblige  me 
by  doing  it.  If  you  can  purchase  those  Buckles  for  Chester 
and  send  them  by  the  bearer,  I  can  receive  the  mony  here. 
I  think  if  you  will  examine  at  what  price  this  State  mony  is 
to  be  purchased  at,  and  the  other  kinds  of  securities,  we 
can  make  something  of  consiquence  to  us. 

Do  you  intend  to  Petition  the  Genl.  Assembly  in  May 
respecting  our  Estate.  If  so,  there  ought  something  to  be 
done  immediately.  Remember  me  to  all  our  Circle  of 
friends.  If  your  matters  will  permit  you  to  execute  the 
little  commission  I  have  requested,  you  will  render  me 
great  service.  The  Family  are  much  better  in  health  than 
when  I  last  wrote.  I  am  with  unalterable  Esteem  and 
Affection  yours, 

JOHN  W. 

1  Ebenezer  Hazard,  who  held  the  office  from  1782  to  1789. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        289 

P.  S.  I  am  told  that  they  are  at  a  loss  to  find  some 
Lady  to  say  once  more  that  you  are  attentive  too.  May 
every  happiness  attend  you.  Tell  friend  Morris  God  bless 
him,  and  that  I  hope  he  has  secure'd  the  old  Lady  well 
under  ground.1 

Addressed:  General  Saml.  B.  Webb,  att  No.  24  little  Queen  Street, 
New  York.  Favor'd  by  Mr.  Willard,  who  is  desired  to  deliver  it 
himself. 


FROM  RICHARD  PLATT. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  send  by  Bearer  One  Hundred  Dollars.  Next  week  I 
hope  to  be  strong  in  Cash;  and  if  so  will  advance  freely. 
Pray  tell  Brother  Jack  to  seize  all  the  Finals  he  possibly 
can  from  2/4  to  2/6  and  2/7.  I  think  they  will  rise  in  a  few 
days  considerably. 

Yours,  &c. 

RICHARD  PLATT. 
April  8th  [1786].    10  A.  M. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  9th  April,  1786. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  received  your  short  letter  dated  at  Mr.  Alsop's  the 
last  evening,  and  am  happy  to  find  that  you  enjoy  yourself 
so  well.  This  match  to  me  seems  if  it  was  soon  hatch'd, 
for  if  I  mistake  not,  Mr.  King  did  not  visit  there  while  I 

1  The  reference  is  not  clear.  The  mother  of  Gouverneur  Morris, 
Sarah,  had  died  late  in  1785  or  in  January,  1786;  but  the  relations 
between  the  Webbs  and  that  family  were  not  close.  Perhaps  Robert 
Morris  is  intended. 


290  FAMILY     LETTERS 

was  in  the  City.  I  sincerely  wish  it  may  be  a  happy  one, 
particularly  on  the  account  of  our  most  worthy  Friend, 
the  father  of  the  Lady,  who  is  deserving  of  all  the  good 
that  man  can  enjoy  here  or  hereafter.  I  am  inform'd  that 
they  intend  paying  Boston  a  visit,  and  soon.  I  find  that 
the  female  who  came  out  of  town  with  [me]  is  not  a  little 
disappointed  at  this  connection,  tho'  I  think  the  reasons 
are  obvious.  Perhaps  a  little  self  interest  may  be  at  the 
bottom  of  this.  I  have  not  a  doubt  but  the  friends  had 
promis'd  that  they  should  be  gratified  in  seeing  her  con 
nected  with  a  certain  person  at  the  Bank.  I  find  that  the 
part  that  our  worthy  little  friend  Abby  took  did  not  please 
the  persons  here,  nor  that  in  Wall  street;  tho'  I  am  very 
happy  that  their  expectations  have  been  Blasted,  and  that 
our  friend  has  shone  her  self  a  person  of  judgment  by  her 
Choice.  My  particular  Compliments  to  the  Circle  at  the 
Wedder  house,  and  to  all  that  think  proper  to  enquire 
after  me. 

I  was  a  little  anxious  about  the  letter  that  you  mention 
of  receiving.  I  am  at  present  prevented  from  purchasing 
for  the  want  of  Cash.  For  the  last  I  sent  you  I  got  the 
mony  from  my  friend  Mr.  Daniel  Smith,  in  whose  favor 
I  have  drawn  on  you  for  Fifty  pounds  Lawfull  mony,  and 
should  he  want  more  I  wish  you  to  advance  him,  as  there 
is  no  person  in  this  country  who  is  more  punctual.  He 
has  been  extremely  civil  to  me.  I  din'd  with  him  yester 
day.  Miss  Clary  Alsop  is  now  at  his  house,  and  has  been 
for  this  six  weeks. 

I  drew  on  you  in  favor  of  Ezekiel  P.  Belden  *  for  a  small 
sum,  which  I  hope  was  answer'd  on  sight.  No  person  will 

1  Of  Wethersfield.  He  had  been  a  captain  in  Sheldon's  Light  Dra 
goons,  resigning  from  the  service  in  June,  1780. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY     WEBB 

be  more  attentive  than  myself  to  our  Business,  but  only 
put  the  means  in  my  hands.  Indeed  I  have  been  oblig'd 
to  give  a  little  extra  on  the  Acct.  of  not  having  Cash. 
When  your  hurry  of  Business  is  over  I  wish  you  to  cast 
your  eye  over  my  letters,  and  that  you  would  answer  those 
parts  you  shall  think  necessary.  Genl.  Person  made  his 
appearance  at  Hartford  yesterday.  Pomeroy  ses  that 
Congress  will  have  some  important  offices  to  give  soon  for 
the  Western  country.  I  hope  you  may  not  be  neglected; 
for  should  you  have  an  appointment  I  hope  I  shall  not  be 
forgot,  for  it's  a  matter  of  indifference  to  what  country  I 
go.  I  shall  be  hourly  expecting  a  long  scrawl  and  the 
particulars  of  your  friend's  late  connection.  I  am  anxious 
to  hear  how  long  after  I  left  Town  the  visits  began.  I  shall 
send  you  a  salmon  for  you  and  our  friends.  Our  Friend 
Shaler  must  share  it  with  you.  I  wish  it  had  been  in  my 
power  to  have  sent  one  before,  but  you  must  not  think  it 
has  been  through  a  mistake.  Do,  my  good  Brother,  write 
Silas  Deane  respecting  our  Estate.  It's  a  matter  you  ought 
to  pay  attention  to  for  all  anything  else  —  by  doing  it  you 
will  much  oblige  me.  I  have  wrote  you  so  much  that 
I  think  it's  unnecessary  for  me  to  add  anything  more.  I 
only  request  you  if  Inclination  or  Business  will  admit,  I 
wish  you  to  answer  my  scrawls.  Believe  me  to  be  with 
immense  affection  your  brother, 

JNO.  WEBB. 

P.  S.  My  brother  sends  one  of  those  Salmon  and  re 
quests  you  to  divide  it  between  Garry  Beekman,  and  Mr. 
Sherbrook,  and  Charles  McEvers.1  [Seal]  must  have  one 

1  Two  brothers,  James  and  Charles  McEvers,  were  in  business  in 
New  York  before  the  Revolution  as  importers  of  European  and  India 


292  FAMILY     LETTERS 

half.  The  other  my  friend  Shaler  must  share  with  you. 
The  water  being  very  high  has  prevented  them  from  taking 
any  lately --till  this  few  days.  Friend  Shaw  must  send 
me  a  Pointer.  I  think  Mrs.  Sherbrook  had  better  loan  me 
one  of  hers. 

Addressed:    Genl.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  att   No.  24  little  Queen  Street, 
New  York.    Honor'd  by  Mr.  Daniel  Smith. 


To  SAMUEL  HoLTON.1 

NEW  YORK,  Wednesday,  3  o'clock. 
Dear  Sir: 

Being  in  company  with  Mr.  Reed  2  of  South  Carolina, 
yesterday  afternoon,  he  mentioned  an  appointment  which 
Congress  had  to  make  of  a  person  to  preside  over  a  part  of 
the  Western  Territory,  His  sentiments  respecting  it  in 
duced  me  to  show  a  desire  to  be  noticed.  He  told  me  he 
was  happy  in  saying  that  if  it  would  be  agreeable  to  me  he 
would  put  me  on  the  nomination,  and  exert  his  every  in 
fluence  to  serve  me,  to  which  I  assented.  Whether  he 
had  done  it  or  not  I  am  unable  to  say.  I  have  this  fore- 
goods,  and  with  a  store  on  Hanover  Street.  .On  the  death  of  James  in 
1768,  his  brother  Charles  succeeded  to  the  business.  The  country 
seat  of  James  was  at  Bloomingdale  (Ninety-third  Street  and  Columbus 
Avenue),  and  had  been  purchased  of  his  brother-in-law  Charles  Ward 
Apthorpe.  The  Charles  McEvers  mentioned  in  the  text  may  have 
been  this  elder  Charles,  or  the  son  of  James.  A  Charles  McEvers  mar 
ried  a  daughter  of  Simon  Johnson,  and  thus  became  connected  with 
the  Livingstons,  Van  Homes,  Beekmans  and  Neilson  —  names  fre 
quently  found  in  this  Webb  correspondence. 

1  Member  of  Congress  from  Massachusetts. 

2  Jacob  Read,  also  of  the  Congress. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        293 

noon  been  at  the  door  of  Congress  to  see  you  on  the  subject. 
Your  being  in  the  chair  prevented.  I  will  take  the  earliest 
opportunity  of  waiting  on  you.  In  the  interim  permit  me, 
Dear  Sir,  to  solicit  your  Friendship  and  influence,  and  if  I 
am  not  already  named  that  you  will  do  it.  Excuse  the 
liberty  I  take,  and  believe  me  with  sincerity,  Your  very 
Obliged  Servt, 

SAML.  B.  WEBB. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD  I2th  April,  1786. 
Dear  Brother: 

George  the  stage  driver  has  just  handed  me  your  letter. 
I  can  say  no  more  on  the  head  of  purchasing  than  I  have 
already.  I  can  only  say  its  differ'd  us  as  much  as  one 
hundred  pounds  within  this  two  days,  my  not  having  Cash 
on  hand.  I  have  purchased  upwards  of  four  hundred 
dollars,  for  which  I  borrow'd  mony  and  gave  my  Note  of 
hand  on  Interest.  I  shall  make  no  charge  of  my  trouble 
but  shall  leave  it  to  you  and  friend  Platt  to  say  what  it  is 
worth.  There  was  a  Mr.  Firman  who  took  seven  thousand 
dollars  of  commutation  out  of  my  hand,  only  on  the  Acct. 
of  my  Cash  being  out.  He  gave  2/6.  I  am  in  hopes  that 
Belden  will  bring  me  as  much  as  five  hundred  dollars. 

I  have  two  stages  purchas'd,  and  put  up  as  much  as  two 
Salmon,  and  on  the  Acct.  of  the  stage  being  full  I  have  not 
been  able  to  forward  them.  If  you  can  purchase  Connecti 
cut  State  Notes  for  4/6  to  4/9  on  the  pound,  they  will  net 
us  a  handsome  profit.  The  last  Connecticut  money  will 
answer  at  a  Dollar;  tho  by  the  Monday  stage  you  shall 
have  more  particularly.  Do  push  every  point  or  nerve 


294  FAMILY     LETTERS 

to  send  me  a  Sum  of  mony.  I  will  try  to  take  up  some 
mony,  tho'  I  have  very  little  prospect  I  must  confess.  I 
will  once  more  go  to  Hartford  in  the  morning.  When  I 
say  Connecticut  Notes  I  mean  those  given  the  soldiers  of 
our  line.  You  must,  if  in  your  power,  answer  my  letter 
more  particularly.  I  shall  send  this  by  George  the  stage 
driver  as  far  as  Middletown,  who  puts  it  in  the  office  with 
the  inclos'd  Notes.  I  shall  be  happy  to  do  anything  in  my 
power  to  forward  our  Business,  but,  but,  but!  The  want 
of  Cash  must  prevent  my  doing  anything  more.  I  must 
bid  adieu,  and  may  the  best  of  Heavens  Blessings  attend 
you  is  the  desire  of  your  friend  and  Brother, 

JNO.  W. 

Please  to  remember  me  and  the  Family  Affectionately 
to  Aunt  P[olly].  Will  not  our  friend  James  pay  that 
Acct?  What  makes  me  repeat  this  is  that  we  are  in  want 
of  all  the  Cash  we  can  muster. 

No.  34,595  payable  to  Daniel  Galpen for  120  Dollrs 

34,596    ditto     to  ditto     ditto do     8898Q- 

35,230    ditto     to  ditto      ditto do     80 

41,129    ditto     to  Wm.  Bacon      do     80 

51,600    ditto     to  Wm.  Bacon      do     13  •§-{}• 

35,220    ditto     to  Bordman  Davis do     80 

46i||-  Dollrs 
Those  cost  me  2/6  on  the  pound. 

Addressed:   Genl.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  Att   No.  24  little  Queen   Street, 
New  York.    With  a  protested  Bill  Inclos'd. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB      295 

FROM  RICHARD  PLATT. 
Dr  Sir: 

Continue  to  advise  Brother  Jack  to  purchase  all  the 
Finals  he  can  at  2/6  and  under. 

The  Bearer  has  a  check  for  One  Hundred  and  Seventy 
Dollars. 

Yours  &c. 

RICHD  PLATT. 

1 4th  April,  1786. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  I9th  April,  1786. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  have  just  received  your  letter  of  the  i6th  instant.  Its 
the  first  that  I  knew  Wadsworth  would  take  up  my  drafts. 
I  thought  that  I  was  not  to  apply  to  him  till  you  wrote  me 
again.  As  for  selling  my  drafts,  it's  a  thing  almost  im 
possible.  If  I  had  mony,  there  has  been  great  sums  sold. 
I  am  shure  it  has  been  in  your  power  to  have  sent  me  some 
mony  by  Capt.  Belden,  Mr.  Smith,  or  David  Bull.  The 
draft  I  drew  in  favor  of  Mr.  Smith  was  not  paid  me  all,  but 
since  his  return.  Nor  is  any  one  willing  to  advance  mony 
on  drafts,  they  have  been  so  frequently  disappointed  by 
their  not  being  paid.  Belden  took  two  or  three  drafts, 
and  mine  was  the  only  one  paid.  Those  people  who  have 
the  final  settlements  to  sell  will  not  part  with  them  without 
cash  in  hand;  and  the  fact  is  that  there  are  but  very  few 
people  that  are  willing  to  take  drafts  on  New  York  without 
you  give  them  one  month  to  pay  for  them  after  they  re 
turn.  I  will  only  mention  the  people  that  are  now  at 


296  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Hartford  purchasing  them  up:  Capt.  Fowler,  Mr.  Pomeroy, 
Mr.  Buller,  Mr.  Brunson,  Mr.  Hopkins,  Mr.  Babcock,  and 
many  others,  who  have  the  mony  on  hand.  I  was  there 
yesterday  when  Major  Scott 1  offer'd  me  a  large  sum,  and 
I  went  to  every  person  almost  there  that  was  in  Business; 
but  they  all  had  some  excuse  for  not  advancing  the  mony, 
and  I  had  the  mortification  to  see  another  person  purchase 
them.  I  suppose  it  would  have  been  in  my  power  to  have 
borrow'd  the  mony,  but  that  I  did  not  choose  to  do,  as  I 
am  two  much  involv'd  already.  I  am  to  have  an  answer 
from  a  man  whether  he  will  lett  me  have  two  thousand 
Dollars.  I  shall  not  be  able  to  send  you  any  this  stage, 
neither  can  I  send  you  or  our  worthy  friend  Shaler  a  salmon 
this  stage,  as  its  past  today  and  no  fishing.  The  only 
reason  why  I  did  not  send  you  one  the  last  stage  was  that 
there  has  two  vessels  gone  from  here  within  this  ten  days 
with  a  very  large  quantity  for  New  York.  I  have  been 
anxiously  expecting  a  very  long  letter  from  you,  giving  me 
a  particular  acct.  of  the  wedding.  Your  last  letter  to  me 
was  dated  the  8th  instant,  when  you  say  you  will  write 
me  by  the  Thursday  stage,  and  then  give  me  orders  on 
Wadsworth.  If  you  wrote  any  such  letter  I  have  never 
received  it.  I  will  go  and  see  our  friend  Wadsworth  in 
the  morning,  and  will  write  you  very  particularly  by  the 
Monday  Post.  I  sent  you  on  Monday  a  Note  for  Eighty 
odd  Dollars.  You  mention  that  you  have  sent  me  your 
Interest  Certificates.  I  have  not  received  them,  but  Mr. 
D[aniel]  Smith  sent  me  word  that  he  had  left  in  his  trunk 
at  New  Haven  a  letter  from  you,  and  that  there  were  some 


1  Ezekiel  Scott,  who  was  admitted  to  the  Cincinnati  as  a  major, 
but  he  had  not  attained  rank  in  service. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        2Q7 

papers  inclos'd  for  me.  You  must  not  think  I  would  by 
any  means  neglect  you  or  the  Business  we  are  engag'd  in; 
but  if  you  will  only  recollect  how  different  it  is  to  [do] 
Business  here  from  N.  York,  you  will  not  blame  me  for 
mentioning  some  subjects  so  often.  I  had  rather  do  Busi 
ness  in  N.  York  to  the  amount  of  two  thousand  pounds, 
than  to  do  as  many  hundreds  here.  They  are  very  much 
afraid  to  give  mony  and  receive  drafts.  They  are  a  little 
like  paper  currency.  I  am  afraid  that  the  person  who 
bought  your  mills  will  take  the  advantage  of  the  paper 
currency  and  pay  you  off.  I  have  not  the  greatest  opinion 
in  the  world  of  his  honesty.  Please  to  remember  me  affec 
tionately  to  all  our  Circle  of  Friends.  Capt.  Wait  Good 
rich,  the  bearer,  requests  your  influence  with  Colo.  [Robert] 
Troop,  as  he  wants  his  assistance  in  the  law.  I  have  wrote 
this  in  a  very  great  hurry  and  must  request  you  to  make  the 
apology  that's  necessary.  Capt.  Wait  Goodrich  has  just 
calPd  and  ses  he  will  deliver  this  with  his  own  hands.  He 
is  a  very  worthy  cleaver  fellow,  tho'  an  unfortunate  one. 
By  him  I  shall  send  you  two  commutation  Notes  amount 
ing  to  one  hundred  twenty-three  -£$  @  2/6.  I  also  shall 
draw  on  you  in  favor  of  Capt.  W.  Goodrich  for  nine  pounds 
thirteen  shillings  and  seven  pence,  lawfull  mony  of  Con 
necticut,  payable  on  sight.  I  hope  on  Monday  to  forward 
the  amount  that  our  friend  Shaler  wants,  tho'  on  Friday  I 
must  once  more  visit  our  place  at  Coalchester.  I  have 
been  purchasing  me  a  House,  Barn,  and  a  Farm  of  seventy- 
four  acres  [of]  Land,  as  a  retreat  in  case  I  get  any  more  out 
of  the  World.  For  I  think  Coalchester  to  be  as  good  a  re 
treat  as  any  I  can  find.  Say  God  Bless  our  worthy  Friends 
Joy,  and  Bailey,  and  families,  who  I  wish  sincerely  to  see 
with  Aunt  Pfolly].  What  has  become  of  the  worthy  Miss 


298  FAMILY     LETTERS 

L[ivingston],  niece  to  Mrs.  Jay.1  I  want  exceedingly  to 
see  our  friends.  If  this  Business  is  like  to  answer,  do  push 
every  nerve  to  send  me  a  sum  of  mony.  Connecticut 
State  Notes  to  the  Line  of  the  Army  out  in  1782,  '83  and 
'84,  are  worth  7/6  to  8/.  Those  out  in  1785  and  so  on  to 
1789  are  at  5/  in  the  pound.  Connecticut  State  mony 
from  7/  to  7/6  on  the  pound.  I  wish  you  to  sell  that 
fowling  piece  of  mine  with  you,  and  collect  those  small 
Debts,  for  the  larger  the  Capital  the  more  profits  to  us. 
Finals  are  now  at  3/  in  Boston.  Should  you  have  pur- 
chas'd  the  Buckles  for  our  friend  Chester  be  good  enough 
to  send  them.  Where  is  Shaw?  He  promis'd  he  would 
send  me  a  pointer.  I  wish  you  only  to  mention  [it]  to 
Philip,  and  he  will  soon  put  one  on  board  of  a  vessel  for 
me.  It  will  be  an  amusement  to  you  when  you  come  into 
the  country,  and  it  will  be  of  great  service  to  your  Brother. 
I  think  you  have  a  field  Bed  that  you  do  not  make  use  of. 
If  so  and  you  will  sell  it  me,  I  will  give  you  the  value  of  it. 
How  does  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  go  to  Boston.  Please  to 
present  my  particular  Compliments  to  them  and  the 
family.  Should  Horace  2  want  any  small  sum  of  mony  I 
wish  you  to  advance  it  him.  I  must  request  you  to  make 
an  apology  for  this  scrawl,  as  the  room  has  been  full  of 
company  the  whole  evening. 

Addressed:   Gen'l  Samuel  B.  Webb,  at  No.  24  little  Queen  Street, 
New  York.    Honor'd  by  Capt.  Wait  Goodrich. 


1  Mrs.  John  Jay  was  Sarah  Van  Brugh  Livingston,   daughter  of 
Gov.  William  Livingston  of  New  Jersey.    Her  brother  Henry  Brock- 
hoist  Livingston  was  prominent  in  New  York. 

2  Horace  Johnson. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB      2Q9 

FROM  RICHARD  PLATT. 

April  22nd,  1786. 
Dr.  Sir: 

I  send  you  a  Rect.  for  the  Finals.  I  am  sorry  I  cannot 
send  you  the  two  checks  you  wish.  I  send  you  one,  and 
as  soon  as  either  Lee  l  or  Hillegas  2  will  pay  any  money,  I 
shall  be  strong,  but  not  before.  Today  I  am  obliged  to 
send  Sumner  a  large  sum  of  money  by  vessel  going  to 
Georgia.  I  am  obliged  to  advance  it,  or  he  must  go  with 
out.  I  have  his  warrant  for  a  Qrs  Salary,  but  it  is  only 
paper,  and  Sumner  wants  hard  money.  I  will  send  you 
tomorrow  a  list  of  New  York  Finals.  I  thank  you  for  your 
information.  Yours  &c., 

RICHARD  PLATT. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  26th  April,  1786. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  arrived  here  last  evening,  having  been  at  Coalchester 
all  the  last  week;  and  on  my  return  found  your  letter 
dated  the  iQth  March.  Where  it  has  been,  God  only 
knows.  I  am  sorry  that  you  have  admitted  our  friend 
Platt,  tho'  perhaps  you  had  not  a  capital  sufficient.  If  you 
had,  you  have  given  something  that  would  have  been  an 
object  to  us.  I  am  this  day  offer'd  a  large  sum  of  commu 
tation  Notes  at  2/6,  but  the  want  of  Cash  prevents  me 
from  purchasing.  You  wrote  me  that  Wadsworth  would 
take  up  my  Bills,  but  he  ses  that  it  is  not  in  his  power.  If 
he  had  done  what  you  told  me,  I  should  have  been  able  to 

1  Probably  Arthur  Lee,  one  of  the  Continental  Board  of  Treasury. 

2  Michael  Hillegas,  treasurer  of  the  United  States. 


300  FAMILY     LETTERS 

have  sent  you  some  thousand  Dollars  by  the  bearer,  Mrs. 
[Amos]  Bull.  I  am  much  disappointed  by  your  seeming 
neglect.  Why,  my  good  friend,  have  you  not  sent  me  the 
mony  you  have  had  of  mine  in  your  hands  ?  Had  you  only 
sent  that  I  could  have  turn'd  it  to  our  mutual  advantage. 
You  say  that  you  have  sold  those  I  have  forwarded  to  a 
profit.  If  so  or  not,  you  have  a  considerable  ballance  now 
due  on  those  in  your  hands.  You  must  no  that  every 
thing  depends  on  the  speedy  returns  to  make  any  consid 
erable  profit  on  those  matters.  I  shall  always  think  my 
self  extremely  happy  to  be  doing  you  any  service.  I  am 
shure  you  must  be  convinced  of  that.  I  am  not  asking  you 
for  the  ballance  on  our  private  Acct.,  only  to  request  you 
to  forward  the  monies  due  me  on  the  sales  of  those  I  have 
sent  you.  I  must  repeat  that  nothing  can  be  done  with 
out  there  is  a  considerable  Cash  sent  me.  These  are 
selling  at  Boston  for  3/,  and  are  upon  the  rise.  If  there  is 
anything  to  be  done,  it  must  soon;  and  if  the  one  article 
comes  that  is  needful,  perhaps  I  can  do  something  to  profit. 
Mr.  Daniel  Smith  has  this  day  sent  me  your  certificates. 
Had  he  have  sent  them  before  I  could  have  sold  them,  but 
I  shall  do  the  best  I  can.  Are  you  willing  to  part  with 
your  Interest  Certificates  at  io/  on  the  pound  in  Cash,  or 
to  take  13/4  in  men's  Notes  that  are  payable  in  the  Fall  in 
produce?  Your  answer  if  you  please.  Please  to  present 
my  love  to  Aunt  Pfolly],  and  my  Compliments  to  our 
Circle  of  friends.  Why,  my  Br.,  has  not  Colo.  Obel  and 
our  friend  James  sent  me  the  ballance  of  their  Accts?  I 
wish  the  matter  of  Thompson's  might  be  put  immediately 
in  suit.  The  latter  I  thought  would  have  been  glad  to 
have  sent  me  the  ballance  in  loaf  sugar.  The  family  are 
well  and  request  to  be  remembered  to  you  and  Aunt  P[olly]. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB  30! 

I  find  that  Wm  Denning  l  has  wrote  a  very  impolite  letter 
to  Jo,  who  owes  him  [seal]  ballance.  He  feels  his  conse 
quence.  I  would  have  you  do  what  is  most  convenient 
respecting  the  buckles.  I  requested  Horace  to  purchase  a 
few  small  articles,  which  if  he  has,  I  wish  him  to  send  by  the 
bearer.  How  is  Miss  Lesser?  God  bless  her.  Have  you 
ever  thought  to  ask  Miss  C.  Kyler  [Cuyler]  2  for  the  Books 
I  lent  her  and  Miss  White  of  N.  Shalers  ?  For  in  my  Acct. 
he  has  charged  them.  May  every  wish  and  desire  of  yours 
be  justified  is  the  sincere  wish  of  yours  Affectionately, 

JNO.  W. 

Addressed:   Gen'l  Samuel  B.  Webb,  att  No  24  little  Queen  Street, 
New  York.    Honor'd  by  Mrs.  Bull. 


FROM  ROBERT  MORRIS,  JUNIOR. 

WEST  CHESTER,  May  I5th,  1786. 
Dear  Webb: 

Your  attentive  letter  to  my  happiness  was  last  eavening 
handed  me  by  pappa,  and  receive  my  warmest  thanks  for 
your  uniform  conduct  through  the  period  of  our  acquaint 
ance,  however  warm  yet  me  thinks  mutually  sincear,  and 
this  your  letter  is  not  one  of  the  smallest  marks  of  your 
concern  for  me  and  mine.  This  old  Goshonite  must  have 
made  no  small  stur  among  my  Relations  in  Town,  very 
laughable  for  you  a  silent  spectator  of  their  conduct. 
Mother  must  have  sniggered  a  little  if  acredited  by  her. 
Make  notes,  Webb,  for  I  am  sure  no  memory  can  contain 

1  A  member  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  in  1774,  and  an 
assemblyman  after  the  peace. 

2  Probably  Catharine,  daughter  of  Henry  Cuyler. 


3O2  FAMILY     LETTERS 

all.  I  am  up  to  my  -  -  in  business,  and  scarcely  time  to 
write  my  friends.  I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  that  Old 
Black  is  infinitely  worse  than  any  4-footed  beast  I  have 
yet  come  acrossed.  He  makes  nothing  visiting  his  neigh 
bors  three  miles  an  eand  [end]  to  test  their  Rhy.  My  hay 
I  have  got  for  him  is  very  bad.  I  am  necessitated  to  turn 
him  out  in  the  day  time.  I  have  at  length  procured  an 
easy  pair  of  iron  hopples  which  keep  him  very  quiet,  and 
I  am  in  hopes  he  will  soon  thrive.  There  is  a  man  that 
would  wish  to  purchase  him,  if  for  sale.  Let  me  know 
your  lowest  price. 

My  respects  to  my  friends,  Mrs.  King  &c.,  and  believe 
me  Sincerely  yours, 

ROBT.  MORRIS,  JUNIOR. 

You  may  see  my  writing  is  not  the  better  for  work. 


FROM  WILLIAM  WICKHAM. 

GOSHEN,  Thursday  Evening,  May  I7th,  '86. 
Dear  Sir: 

A  continued  storm  ever  since  my  arrival  has  prevented 
my  going  out.  The  Cash  is  ready  for  me.  A  good  person 
will  set  out  for  New  York  on  Friday  or  Saturday  who  I 
shall  entrust  with  the  money.  However,  Sir,  should  he 
not  be  in  time,  I  beg  you'll  not  put  yourself  to  the  least 
inconvenience,  but  procure  the  money  with  the  Certificates. 
I  am  not  certain  by  what  conveyance  this  will  go,  but  I 
expect  a  Lad  will  set  out  tomorrow  for  New  York  to  whose 
care  this  will  be  sent  in  the  morning. 

I  think  you  told  me  the  Cash  was  to  be  paid  on  Saturday. 
Had  it  not  been  for  this  Storm  I  could  have  sent  the  money 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        303 

by  Friday.     It  will  undoubtedly  be  in  New  York  on  Satur 
day  or  Sunday  morning  at  farthest. 

I   am,   Sir,  with  much  Regard  Your  most  obt.  Hum. 
Servt., 

WM.  WICKHAM. 

Addressed:   General  Webb,  Broadway  No.  25,  New  York. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother: 

Yours  of  the  i6th  I  have  this  moment  received.  I  am 
surprised  what  busy  medling  rascals  have  been  endeavoring 
my  hurt.  For  your  satisfaction  I  may  venture  to  say  I 
think  my  self  not  in  their  power  more  than  I  can  get  rid 
of.  If  any  of  my  Creditors  will  take  Lands  or  Notes,  and 
those  that  may  be  good,  I  will  pay  them  off  in  24  hours. 
Security  I  will  give  no  man;  pay  them  as  above  I  am  ready. 
I  am  fifteen  years  older  than  I  was  at  the  close  of  the  War 
by  my  attention  to  secure  our  outstanding  Debts.  I  have 
gone  thro  much  fatigue,  trouble,  vexation,  anxiety,  both 
by  Day  and  Night,  taking  Notes,  Securities  and  settle 
ments.  I  have  been  as  fortunate  as  my  Neighbors,  but 
payment  I  have  not  been  able  to  get.  However  I  trust  a 
pay  day  will  come,  and  my  Object  will  be  to  pay  off  my 
debts.  Brother  Jack  is  gone  to  Salisbury  to  see  about  our 
affairs  there.  Brother  Jack  will  be  at  home  on  Saturday, 
I  believe.  I  wish  my  Business  would  permit  my  coming 
to  York.  I  could  give  them  the  fullest  and  most  ample 
satisfaction  of  my  conduct,  such  as  would  please.  I  will 
endeavor  if  possible  to  come  to  York.  Ask  my  friend  Mr. 
Vanhorn  the  particulars  and  the  informants.  Its  a  piece 
of  friendship  I  ought  to  be  indulged  in.  I  will  write  him 


304  FAMILY    LETTERS 

myself  soon,  by  this  opportunity  its  impossible.  I  wish 
you  would  do  the  needful  to  set  matters  right.  I  am, 
Dear  Brother,  with  Compliments  to  our  friendly  Circle, 
Yr.  Most  afft  Br., 

Jos.  WEBB. 

Thursday  Evening,  n  o'Clock. 
1 8th  May,  1786. 

Addressed:   General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York.     Per  Mr.  Stew 
art.    Endorsed:   Received  and  forwarded  by  J.  B.  Cutting. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

Secret  for  your  self. 
Dr.  B[rother]: 

I  have  wrote  you  by  this  Opportunity  in  answer  to  yours 
of  the  1 6th,  which  you  may  make  what  use  of  it  you  please. 
It  fills  me  with  anxiety.  But  D — m  them,  who  can  be  the 
Busy  ones?  I  suspect  George  S—  -  Jere  W[adsworth]. 
Nathl.  Sh[aler].  Depend  on  it  some  one  of  these  Characters 
have  been  at  least  unguarded.  They  are  friends  and  no 
friends.  I  wish  more  to  see  you  than  ever.  It  looks 
against  me  that  I  have  not  been  at  York;  but  to  be  honest 
a  letter  from  Jack  while  he  was  in  York  advised  me  not 
come,  prevented  me  being  there  according  to  my  writing 
you,  Burr,  and  others.  I  believe  he  thought  he  did  right, 
but  I  believe  it  was  unfortunate.  Let  me  beg  you  not  to 
mention  my  suspicions  even  in  your  most  friendly  un 
guarded  moments.  Search  and  find  out  by  some  way  or 
other,  but  take  care;  be  prudent,  be  cautious,  be  thought 
ful.  Hear  much,  say  little.  Write  me  freely.  We  have 
all  enemies  I  assure  you,  and  depend  upon  it  where  you  do 
not  at  present  believe.  Some  say  this  of  you,  some  say 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        305 

this  and  that  of  me,  this  and  that  of  Jack  and  others.  We 
have  plenty  of  good  friends  the  backward  way.  Some 
can't  bear  to  see  our  family  on  so  respectable  footing,  and 
others  a  variety  of  infamous  causes  to  say  against  one  or 
the  other  what  they  can.  Ill  report  ketches  fast.  You 
must  know  I  have  for  a  long  time  been  jealous  of  some  of 
the  above  Characters.  Perhaps  I  may  add  T[homas]  Sey 
mour.  In  short  I  might  add  others,  but  I  suppose  by 
what  Brother  Jack  says  you  will  be  coming  this  way,  when 
I  shall  be  happy  to  unfold  a  Budget.  I  fear  to  trust  too 
much  to  paper.  Yet  the  mail  is  quite  safe;  but  the  diffi 
culty  is  I  trust  my  letters  by  the  stage  to  Mid[dle]t[own], 
then  to  be  put  in  the  mail.  However  I  will  write  without 
reserve  to  you,  as  I  know  of  no  letters  miscarrying  as  yet. 
I  owed  principal  on  Books  to  D[aniel]  Phenix  abt.  £250 
York.  He  put  it  in  the  hands  of  one  Mr.  Ingraham  of 
Midt.,  and  several  letters  passed  and  repassed,  quite  gen 
teel  and  in  friendship,  between  Ingraham  and  myself, 
Phenix  and  myself.  Nothing  quite  settled.  At  last 
Phenix  wrote  a  sevear  letter,  and  gave  positive  orders  if  I 
would  not  pay  it,  secure  it  by  Notes,  or  some  way,  to 
attach  and  put  it  in  to  an  Attorney's  hand.  They  put  it 
in  Asher  Miller's.  He  wrote  me;  so  did  Ingraham.  I 
comply'd  on  giving  other  peoples'  Note,  and  if  he  collects 
them  I  have  nothing  to  do  with  D.  P.  He  lies  at  my  mercy 
about  the  Interest.  He's  behaved  so  as  to  justify  my  not 
allowing  him  a  farthing  interest.  I  dispise  him.  E. 
Miller  is  the  only  one  I  owe  on  Note  in  York.  As  to  Den 
ning,  I  owe  him  for  wine  taken  in  1776  £96  York  —  not  a 
farthing  more.  I  wish  to  know  without  you  saying  a  word 
to  him  what  mony  you  deliv'd  him  on  my  Acct.,  and  how 
you  settled.  Write  me  by  the  Return  of  this  stage.  Its 


306  FAMILY     LETTERS 

too  late  to  add.  Your  Enemies  say  you  attach  yourself  to 
cards,  Neglect  Business.  I  suppose  it  springs  from  the 
deviltry  of  our  Enemies,  and  without  the  least  foundation. 
Write  me  freely  by  the  next.  I  will  endeavor  to  write  you 
so  as  you  may  read.  Its  exceeding  late;  the  stage  goes 
off  at  5  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

Write  me  what  McEvers  says.  Jemmy  promised  [to 
aid]  me.  He  pretended  much  friendship.  I  fear  its  only 
pretention,  yet  I  may  injure  him.  He  appears  a  good 
young  man,  but  then  [seal]  Seymour.  Adieu,  Adieu. 

When  will  you  be  here? 

1 8th  May,  1786. 

Addressed:  General  Sam.  B.  Webb,  New  York.    Per  Mr.  Stewart. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  wrote  you  by  the  last  stage  but  I  hardly  know  what  I 
wrote.  It  was  late  in  the  evening,  my  mind  rather  dis- 
compos'd.  I  was  vext,  and  hardly  knew  who  at.  I  rather 
suspect  D[aniel\  Phenix.  I  expected  a  letter  from  you 
by  the  last  post,  but  when  I  consider  the  rapid  returns  of 
the  stage  I  have  not  much  to  say.  I  hope  however  that 
the  very  hour  you  receive  this  I  shall  receive  one  from  you 
in  full  answer  of  my  jumbled  confused  letter.  Do  you  ad 
vise  me  to  come  to  [New]  York?  Write  me  as  freely  and 
fully  as  you  please.  I  confess  to  you  I  think  I  ought  to 
come;  nothing  is  so  agreeable  to  a  Creditor  as  seeing  his 
Debtor  often,  Except  paying.  I  trust  before  this  you  have 
found  out  what  Vanhorn  alluded  to.  Get  from  him  all 
the  particulars.  How  is  Jemmy  McEvers  since  his  return 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        307 

from  Connecticut?  How  is  Charles  McEvers?  How  is 
Shayler?  Jacob  Le  Roy  and  his  son1  din'd  with  me  this 
day;  has  just  gone  back  to  drink  Tea  with  Thos.  Seymour. 
I  wish  as  little  as  possible  may  be  said  about  McE—  -'s 
attaching  S.  D[eane]'s  property,  as  the  consequence  will  be 
a  series  of  Enquiry  from  all  S.  D.'s  creditors,  and  cause 
much  trouble.  The  least  said  is  best.  When  will  you 
come  and  chat  over  all  these  matters?  I  am,  dear  Brother, 
Yrs  Sincerely,  J.  WEBB. 

May  21  st,  1786. 

Jemmy  McEvers  has  a  pair  of  Sturrups  I  suffer  much 
for.  I  cant  think  there  is  about  £300  York  due  from  S.  D. 
to  J.  McE.  Will  it  do  for  you  to  find  out?  Mrs.  W[ebb] 
says  you  must  bring  Miss  Duyckinck  with  you. 

I  have  a  great  mind  to  come  to  York,  but  shall  wait  for 
your  Answer.  Or  perhaps  I  had  better  wait  and  return 
with  you.  How  can  it  possibly  be  workt  for  me  to  have  a 
vessel  to  go  to  the  Havana  for  Hides?  It  is  a  matter  of 
much  Consequence.  Between  you  and  me  if  the  Tan  Works 
were  well  filPd  once  with  Hides,  after  that  they  would  stock 
themselves.  Then  would  the  family  have  a  plan  of  prop 
erty  to  apply  to;  it  would  be  a  body  of  reserve.  Do  you 
suppose  we  can  make  Interest  enough  to  have  a  small  Sloop 
run  there  in  July  with  Onions,  Garlic,  and  such  a  Cargo  as 
he  may  dictate.  Mr.  Le  Roy  thinks  it  can.  He's  deter 
mined  to  assist  you  with  his  Influence. 

1  Jacob  Le  Roy,  Sr.,  died  in  1792-93,  leaving  a  curious  will,  as  it 
specially  provided  that:  "I  have  directed  a  ticket  to  be  purchased 
for  me  in  the  Lottery  of  the  States  General  of  Holland,  and  one  in  the 
State  Lottery  of  England;  my  will  is  that  in  case  the  said  tickets  draw 
a  prize  or  prizes,  that  my  wife  Catharine  shall  have  the  one-sixth  part, 
etc."  His  will  was  witnessed  by  John  Keese. 


308  FAMILY    LETTERS 

FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  3d  June,  1786. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  this  morning  send  by  Mr.  Horner  your  Watch  and 
Cane,  to  be  deliver'd  to  Genl.  Persons.  I  also  send  you 
a  final  Settlement  Note  for  80  Dollrs.  @  2/6,  which  I  pur 
chased  on  my  return  of  Capt.  [Ezekiel]  P.  Belden.  You 
must  do  everything  to  have  matters  prepar'd  by  the  time 
I  return  from  Boston,  which  will  be  week  after  next,  some 
time  the  latter  end  of  the  Week.  Present  my  compli 
ments  to  Colo.  Platt,  and  tell  him  that  everything  in 
my  [power]  I  will  do.  You  must  remember  me  to  the 
Circle  of  our  Friends.  I  have  nothing  worth  communicat 
ing,  as  you  left  this  so  late.  I  am  with  Esteem  Yours 
affectionately, 

JNO.  W. 

P.  S.     You  must  send  me  mony  on  my  Return. 

WEBB. 

I  wish  you  to  converse  with  persons  respecting  the 
Western  Lands.  If  you  please  ask  Miss  Cuyler  for  the 
Plays  lent  her  and  Miss  White.  Col.  White  is  indebted  to 
me  13/6. 

Addressed:  Gen'l.  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  New  York.  Honor'd  by  Major 
Gen.  Parsons. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother: 

Not  a  line  from  you  since  you  was  here.  Brother  Jack 
is  not  yet  return'd  from  Boston.  Barrell  writes  me  his 
daughter  Sally  is  very  ill,  and  begs  Jack  would  not  as  yet 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        309 

come  after  Hetty.  He  says  Geary  owes  him  £2000  Ster 
ling,  begs  me  to  secure  him.  I  see  there  is  a  General  Attach 
ment  gone  out  in  York  State.  I  suppose  it  would  be  well 
for  Barrell  to  lay  in  his  claim  in  York,  or  can  I  attach 
solely  for  Barrell  if  I  find  any  debt  in  the  State  of  New 
York?  Brother  Jesse  [Deane]  has  not  been  at  the  House 
since  the  affair.  I  wish  you  could  send  me  a  copy  of  Silas 
Deane's  last  letter.  What  shall  I  write  him?  I  wish  for 
a  long  circumstantial  letter  from  you.  I  wish  Horace 
would  collect  Iver's  debt.  Laboyteaux  [will  s]end  it  me  in 
tea.  Mrs.  W[ebb]  says  I  must  write  you,  we  are  quite 
out  [of  sugars]  of  all  kind.  You  will  not  let  the  Ladies 
suffer.  Pray  send  Aunt  Polly.  I  am,  Dear  Brother, 
Yours  affectionately, 

J.  WEBB. 

[July],  1786. 

In  a  confidential  way  I  wish  you  would  [with]out  much 
attention  examine  the  say  of  the  House  of  Effingham 
Laurence  in  London.  I  fear  all  the  American  Houses  will 
fail.  I  shall  [send]  Gerry  G.  Beekman's  shad  by  the  first 
vessel  bound  to  York  from  Weth'd.  Have  you  thought 
of  my  Payments  from  Brig  Joe. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  4th  July,  1786. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  received  your  line  by  the  stage  this  evening,  and  am 
not  only  sorry  but  disappointed  that  you  cannot  answer 
my  Bills  to  the  amount  I  have  purchased  Notes.  I  had 
drawn  on  you  for  fifteen  pounds  New  York  Currency  in 


310  FAMILY     LETTERS 

favor  of  Amos  Bull,  but  in  the  morning  shall  some  way 
take  up  the  draft.  I  expected  when  I  began  this  Business 
to  have  had  at  least  the  mony  I  advanced;  but  you  have 
your  reasons  I  dare  say,  and  I  shall  contrive  some  way  to 
settle  my  matters,  and  the  day  after  tomorrow  leave  this 
for  Colchester.  I  shall  be  very  happy  to  hear  from  you 
when  ever  Business  or  Inclination  will  permit.  If  you 
please  you  may  send  me  your  field  Bedstead,  with  one  pair 
Blankets  and  two  Pairs  Sheets,  and  I  will  pay  you  the  value 
for  them.  If  you  send  them  I  wish  you  to  direct  them  to 
me  at  Colchester,  to  the  care  of  Wm.  Winthrop  at  New 
London.  I  will  thank  you  if  you  will  write  me  by  the  first 
Post  whether  it  will  be  convenient  for  you  to  supply  me 
with  those  articles.  If  not  I  will  purchase  them  some 
where  else.  Hetty  desires  her  love  to  you  and  Aunt  Polly; 
every  branch  of  the  family  desire  the  same.  She  is  very 
much  disappointed  at  not  meeting  Aunt  Polly.  Should 
you  see  our  mutual  and  worthy  friend  Seagrove,  I  wish 
you  to  make  my  Compliments  to  him,  in  which  the  family 
join,  and  tell  him  that  his  gun  shall  be  sent  by  the  first  safe 
opportunity.  I  should  have  sent  it  before  had  there  in 
favorable  opportunity  offer'd;  its  too  valuable  to  send  by 
the  stages.  You  may  also  mention  that  I  have  only  made 
use  of  it  three  times.  All  his  friends  wish  and  expect  to 
see  him  in  this  part  of  the  World.  I  have  requested  my 
Brother  to  let  you  know  when  Mr.  Barrell  comes  on,  tho' 
he  propos'd  to  be  here  for  Hetty  by  the  first  of  August. 
You  may  judge  he  intends  leaving  Boston  the  Monday 
after  commencement,  which  is  between  the  19  and  24th 
of  July.  Your  letters  after  this  week  will  come  safe  to  me 
by  puting  them  in  the  New  London  Mail,  directed  to  Mr. 
Green,  who  will  send  them  me  by  Mr.  Night  the  Post 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB 

rider.  You  entirely  forgot  in  your  last  to  mention  any 
thing  respecting  our  Business,  whether  paper  had  risen  or 
fallen.  Please  to  remember  me  affectionately  to  all  those 
that  enquire  after  me,  and  believe  me  to  be  with  Sincere 
Affection  yours, 

JOHN  W. 

Addressed:   Gen'l    Sam'l    B.    Webb,    New   York.     Per   Mr.    John 
Lockwood. 


FROM  WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON,  JUNIOR. 

NEW  YORK,  loth  July,  '86. 
Dr.  Sir: 

Mr.  Abm.  Ogden  tells  me  that  you  are  desirous  to  ad 
minister  upon  an  Estate  in  Jersey.  As  I  shall  be  obliged 
to  leave  Town  to-morrow  morning,  I  shall  be  glad  to  see 
you  upon  the  subject  some  time  to  day,  for  which  purpose 
I  shall  attend  at  Mr.  R.  Watt's  this  afternoon  precisely 
at  five.  Mr.  Ogden  who  is  willing  to  become  your  surety 
being  in  Town,  if  the  business  can  be  done  to  day,  it  will 
save  you  a  jaunt  into  Jersey. 

In  Haste  Your  obedt  Servt, 

WM.  LIVINGSTON,  JuNR.1 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

Sunday  Evening,  July  16,  1786. 
Dear  Brother: 

Sister  Hetty  and  all  the  family  have  just  [been]  wishing 
Brother  Sam  was  here  to  make  up  the  Social  Evening. 

i  With  whom  Webb  fought  a  duel. 


312  FAMILYLETTERS 

They  wish  for  Br.  Jack.  He's  at  Colchester.  Why  do 
you  not  write?  They  all  complain.  I  know  the  goodness 
of  your  Heart,  or  I  could  not  forgive  you.  I  write,  but 
get  no  Answers.  Stuben  is  with  me  every  Sunday  Morng. 
He  wishes  to  Christen  his  Child.  He  says  you  would 
write  Colo.  Chester,  or  me,  from  the  Baron.  I  send  him 
to  Colo.  Chester.  Poor  fellow  thinks  hard.  Where  is  my 
Tea?  Where  is  my  Acct  of  Molasses  D  D  Dea[illegible]  1 
others  out  of  Brig  Joseph?  What  says  Seagrove  to  you? 
Grant  me  a  long  circumstantial  letter,  and  Believe  me 
your  Afft.  Br., 

Jos.  WEBB. 

How  did  Nich  Hoffman  2  and  that  Party  like  Connecti 
cut?  What  say  they?  I  am  in  distress  for  a  Chaise.  Do 
call  on  Hallet  this  Port,  and  see  before  its  done  up,  Amos 
Bull's  New  Chaise  and  observe  the  faults,  that  I  may 
write  you  and  mend.  Would  you  get  plated  furniture?  I 
think  not.  Brass  is  easy  kept  clean.  The  Harness  I  can 
get  better  here  than  in  York.  Let  me  beg  you  to  go  your 
self  and  observe  several  Ice  houses,  and  write  me  how  to 
Build  one. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  24th  August,  1786. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  arrived  home  last  Evening  very  much  fatigued,  and 
found  the  family  all  well.     They  were  very  happy  to  hear 


"  Delivered  Deane." 

2  Nicholas  Hoffman  represented  New  York  City  in  the  Assembly, 
1788-89. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        313 

that  you  was  well,  tho'  could  have  wish'd  that  you  had 
meet  with  a  different  Character  than  Mr.  Livingston],1 
as  his  fame  has  reach'd  the  country,  and  the  only  observa 
tion  that  I  have  meet  with  is  that  people  in  general  think 
it  a  matter  to  small  to  put  up  in  computation.  I  am  told 
that  the  Printer  at  Middleton  is  printing  the  publication 
of  L—  — .  If  so  I  shall  have  yours  done.  I  cannot  but 
think  that  you  had  better  let  me  speak  with  Wadsworth 
respecting  your  matter  in  our  friend  Shaler's  hands.  I 
think  should  you  write  him,  it  will  prevent  those  from  be 
ing  sold,  and  the  scarcity  of  mony  is  such  that  you  must 
expect  very  little  or  nothing  from  this  Quarter.  Do,  my 
good  Br.,  remember  to  forward  the  Note  Mr.  Barrell  re 
quested.  Remember  me  to  our  most  worthy  friend  Sea- 
grove,  and  tell  him  I  shall  write  him  in  a  few  days,  and 
that  I  am  doing  everything  in  my  power  to  be  ready  by 
the  first  of  November.  I  wish  you  to  remember  me  to 
our  worthy  friend  Horace,  and  request  him  to  forward  the 
Shugar  by  the  first  opportunity.  The  family  desire  to  be 
remember'd  to  you  and  Aunt  Polly.  Tell  our  friend  Col. 
Lee  such  has  been  the  Demand  Leather  that  it  will  not  be 
in  my  power  to  send  him  any  till  the  latter  end  of  Novem 
ber,  but  I  have  requested  Mr.  Denny  to  reserve  what  he 
requested.  He  has  a  Calf  skin  for  yourself.  I  this  after 
noon  have  taken  my  Horse  for  our  friend  Col.  Lee  to  see 
what  he  could  purchase  10,000  Dollars  of  Loan  Office 
Certificates  for.  I  have  applied  to  Capt.  Fowler,  who  has 
promis'd  to  write  him  on  the  subject.  He  ses  he  can  pur 
chase  them  at  3/6  reduc'd  to  specie  value,  tho'  I  imagine 


1  William  Livingston,  Jun.    See  Webb,  Correspondence  and  Journals, 
III,  64. 


314  FAMILYLETTERS 

that  he  will  get  him  to  deliver  them  at  3/4.  I  most  sin 
cerely  thank  Col.  Lee  for  his  offer  to  purchase  Southern 
Lands;  without  they  lay  in  the  State  of  Georgia  I  do  not 
[care  to.]  I  will  thank  him  for  any  letters  he  may  give  me 
to  his  friends  in  Georgia.  If  I  can  do  anything  for  you 
here,  I  shall  be  very  happy  to  serve  you.  Remember  me 
to  all  friends  and  believe  me  Affectionately  yours, 

JOHN  WEBB. 


FROM  GEORGE  D.  WICKHAM. 

GOSHEN,  Monday,  August  28th,  '86. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  received  your  kind  letter  of  the  26th  Instant,  and 
am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  friendly  advice. 
But  I  question  if  I  shall  have  patience  enough  to  follow  it. 
I  conceve  my  Ancle  is  allmost  well,  for  I  am  free  from  pain, 
and  all  that  detains  me  is  the  Swelling;  but  I  am  in  hopes 
that  in  a  few  days  that  difficulty  will  be  removed,  that  I 
shall  be  able  to  return  with  Papa. 

Remember  me  to  Philip,  and  tell  him  he  must  not  neglect 
my  Yallow  Birds  And  believe  me  to  be  your  most  sincere 
friend,  G.  D.  W. 

Addressed:  Gen'l  Webb,  New  York.  'Honour'd  by  Mr.  Gab'l 
Ludlum. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Br[other]: 

The  stage  has  just  gone  by,  but  I  set  down  to  write  you 
an  Answer  to  your  Letter  to  Brother  Jack.  I  am  anxious, 
I  am  uneasy,  and  indeed  Surprised.  You  must  know  on 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        315 

the  2^th  Instant  I  wrote  Mr.  [Ashur]  Miller  and  enclosed 
my  Note  according  to  his  request.  Not  hearing  from  him 
I  was  uneasy,  and  wrote  him  this  Morning  on  the  subject; 
but  I  knew  nothing  of  the  failure.  I  have  not  time  to  give 
a  New  Note  and  get  Evidence,  as  its  only  J^  after  4  o'clock 
and  the  stage  gone.  I  must  send  a  Boy  to  Midn.,  if  I  cant 
overtake  the  stage  before.  Shew  this  scrawl  to  Mr. 
Miller,  and  assure  him  I  delivd  Brother  Jack  the  Letter  as 
I  was  going  a  Journey  to  Litchfield  on  the  25th,  with  my 
Note  enclosed  to  John  Alsop  for  the  Sum  he  requested.  I 
am  mortified  of  the  failure  [and]  of  its  consequence.  Its 
a  large  Letter  and  may  come  to  Life.  Tell  them  that  I 
will  execute  a  New  Note  by  next  stage.  Its  impossible 
to  do  it  in  season  for  this.  Do  the  needful.  I  can't  add, 
only  that  I  am  Sincerely, 

Jos.  WEBB. 

Wednesday  Morng 
30th  Aug.,  [1786.] 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

TV  /r     T^         -r*  WETHERSFIELD,  3 1st  August,  1786. 

My  Dear  Brother: 

I  received  your  friendly  but  short  letter  a  few  days 
since.  I  must  say  I  think  Livingston  (divest  him  of  his 
connections)  a  poor  reach  —  one,  who  deserves  pity  rather 
than  contempt,  tho'  you  are  the  best  judge  what  is  wright. 
I  am  unhappy  to  be  oblig'd  to  inform  you  that  it  is  not  in 
my  power  to  sell  your  certificates  for  J /  on  the  pound. 
There  never  was  known  so  scarce  a  time  for  Cash.  I  have 
been  to  Hartford,  Middleton,  Glastenbury,  Eastbury,  and 
East  Windsor,  and  find  I  can  barter  them  away  at  eight 
shillings  —  tho'  you  may  depend  I  shall  do  everything  in 


3l6  FAMILYLETTERS 

my  power  to  render  you  all  the  service  in  my  power,  for  I 
can  with  truth  say  that  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  serve  you. 
I  wish  my  abilities  was  equal  to  my  Inclination.  I  am 
sorry  you  have  not  thought  of  our  Br.  Barrell  respecting 
CampbeFs  Note.  I  think  he  is  in  danger  of  loosing  his 
Debt.  I  hope  I  shall  see  you  before  I  leave  this.  I  am 
proposing  to  be  off  by  the  5th  November.  Make  my  re 
spects  to  our  friend  S[eagrove],  and  request  hirn  to  answer 
my  letter  very  particularly,  as  all  our  Carpenters  and 
Joiners  are  waiting  for  the  Rect.  of  that  letter  so  as  they 
may  know  what  to  depend  on.  You  will  make  me  happy 
and  the  rest  of  your  friends,  if  you  will  write  me  every 
opportunity.  Remember  me  to  our  mutual  friend  Asgill, 
who  we  shall  be  very  happy  to  see.  I  should  write  you 
further  on  some  Business,  but  knowing  your  present  situa 
tion  I  shall  omit  it.  Believe  me  to  be  your  Afft.  Br., 

JOHN  W. 


FROM  MR.  ANSTERS. 

Mr.  Ansters  presents  his  Compts  to  Gen.  Webb,  takes 
the  liberty  of  acquainting  him  that  since  his  return  to  his 
office  he  finds  some  people  who  have  been  waiting  to  have 
their  Business  transacted  so  as  to  admit  of  their  leaving 
N.  York  tonight,  which  unavoidably  obliges  Mr.  Ansters 
not  to  leave  Town  till  late  in  the  Evening.  Will  therefore 
have  the  pleasure  to  accompany  Genl.  Webb  in  his  Phaeton 
to  Greenwich  some  other  opportunity.  In  the  meantime 
if  to-morrow  will  be  agreeable  to  the  General,  Mrs.  Ansters 
will  [be]  happy  to  see  him  to  take  a  family  dinner  at 
Greenwich. 

Saturday  noon,  [September,  1786.] 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        317 

FROM  Miss  CHARITY  SMITH. 
Sir: 

I  am  prevented  from  going  to  Content  this  day  by  the 
rain,  and  shall  spend  it  with  Mrs.  Varick.  As  Colo.  For- 
rist  has  expressed  a  great  wish  to  see  me,  I  inform  you  of 
my  stay  here,  that  he  may  not  be  under  the  necessity  of 
taking  the  ride  out  of  Town,  as  you  proposed  the  other 
Evening.  You  must  let  me  know  what  time  you  will  come, 
for  I  have  several  visits  to  pay.  Pleas  to  send  by  the  ser 
vant  those  Pictures  you  promised  and  you'l  oblige  your 
friend, 

C.  SMITH. 

Tuesday  Morn.  8  o'clock  [September,  1786]. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

[WETHERSFIELD,  September,  1786.] 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  [have]  only  one  moment  to  write  just  to  inform  you 
that  the  Familly  are  well,  and  that  one  and  all  request  you 
to  be  remember'd  to  you  and  Aunt  P[olly] ;  And  to  request 
you  to  call  on  our  mutual  and  worthy  friend  Seagrove,  and 
request  him  to  answer  the  letters  I  wrote  him.  Also  to 
request  our  friend  Shaler  to  open  those  letters  I  have  wrote 
Horace  Johnson,  as  they  contain  matters  of  consequence 
to  me.  And  if  convenient  to  let  James  Sebor  do  the  Busi 
ness,  as  I  am  told  Horrace  is  come  from  New  York.  Be 
good  enough  to  write  me  by  the  first  opportunity,  and  be 
lieve  me  to  be  affectionately  yours, 

JOHN  WEBB. 

Addressed:  Gen'l  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  New  York.  Honor'd  by  Sam'l 
Buck,  Esq. 


3l8  FAMILYLETTERS 

FROM  WILLIAM  WICKHAM. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  want  about  £500  nominal  value  of  Certificates  given 
for  depreciation]  of  Pay  of  the  York  Line.  It  was  given 
by  Haring  Gassharel  and  Moffatt  by  vertue  of  an  Act  of 
Assembly  of  this  State.  Pray  exchange  some  of  my  Cer 
tificates  for  them.  It  is  the  same  thing  at  the  Treasury. 
Col.  Henry  Wisner  left  with  Bancker  several  hundred 
pounds;  he  told  me  I  might  have  them.  I  want  them  much 
to  oblige  a  friend.  Bancker  I  presume  will  make  no  diffi 
culty  in  exchanging. 

I  am,  Dr.  Sir,  your  most  Obt  Hum.  Servt., 

WM.  WICKHAM. 
4th  Sept.  '86. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  am  made  happy  by  hearing  that  your  affair  with  Liv 
ingston  has  terminated  boath  to  his  and  your  honor.  As 
the  matter  is  now  clos'd  I  must  request  you  to  pay  a  little 
attention  to  our  Brs.  matter,  respecting  his  Note  given  to 
Miller.  He  the  very  day  I  returned  executed  a  Note,  but 
I  put  it  away  to  be  safe,  and  it  slipt  my  mind  for  two  post 
-  tho'  when  I  left  you  it  was  agreed  that  in  case  my  Brs. 
Note  did  not  come  on  in  season  that  you  should  give  yours. 
Tho'  by  Miller's  letter  that  matter  is  done  with.  On  my 
return  last  evening  my  Br.  shew  me  a  very  short  letter 
from  Mr.  Alsop  demanding  the  pay  immediately,  a  Copy 
of  which  I  will  give  you  on  the  other  side.  I  will  thank 
you,  if  you  please,  if  you  will  forward  me  as  soon  as  con 
venient  your  long  Gun  and  the  Horseman's  Tent,  as  I  am 
arranging  every  matter  so  as  to  quit  this  by  November.  I 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        319 

suppose  now  that  this  matter  is  clos'd  we  shall  once  more 
see  you  and  our  good  Aunt  P[olly].  Tell  my  good  Friend 
Seagrove  that  I  will  do  what  he  requested,  and  when  I  get 
the  Carpenters  and  joiners  engag'd  I'll  write  him.  Re 
member  me  to  all  our  Friends  and  Believe  me  sincerely 
your  Friend  &c., 

JNO.  WEBB. 
1 2th  Septb.,  1786. 

[Copy.] 
Sir: 

Mr.  Eleazer  Miller,  Junr.  has  assigned  me  your  obligation  for  £750 
this  Cury,  which  becomes  due  the  27  ultimo,  and  he  assured  me  that 
you  intended  to  discharge  it  very  soon.  Shall  therefore  be  expecting 
your  Remittances  upon  the  same  speedily,  which  will  oblige  him  who 
is  in  nead  of  Mony,  My  compliments  to  Mrs.  Webb  and  remain,  Sir 
&c., 

JNO.  ALSOP. 

[torn]   1786. 

You  will  render  my  Br.  service  by  calling  on  Mr.  Alsop 
who  must  be  ignorant  of  the  impossibility  of  collecting 
money.  I  dare  say  my  Br.  (after  Mr.  Miller's  conduct) 
will  pay  Alsop  of  in  Notes.  Dam  the  friendship  of  the 
World.  It's  a  time  serving  pest.  I  thank  god  I  owe  no 
person. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  received  your  letter  of  the  iyth  September,  and  those 
on  the  same  subject  some  time  since.  I  can  only  say  that 
no  person  has  a  greater  desire  to  serve  you  than  myself; 
but  when  it  is  not  in  a  person's  power  you  cannot  expect  it. 
Had  you  sent  your  Notes  and  Certificates  at  the  time  I 
wrote  for  them,  I  could  have  sold  them  at  I2/;  but  money 


320  FAMILY    LETTERS 

is  so  scarce  as  to  make  them  fall  from  that  to  7/  and  7/6. 
If  you  wish  me  to  sell  them  at  any  rate,  I  will  try  more, 
tho'  I  have  been  in  one-half  of  the  towns  in  this  State 
without  affecting  anything.  I  could  have  sold  them  at 
seven  shillings,  but  I  would  not  sell  my  own  at  that,  and 
of  course  would  not  sell  yours.  You  have  no  right  I  am 
shure  to  complain  of  me,  for  you  have  shar'd  largely  in  my 
little  all.  You  also  should  consider  that  I  am  very  busy 
in  preparing  to  leave  this.  I  have  wrote  my  worthy  friend 
Seagrove  a  number  of  letters,  to  which  I  have  received  no 
answer.  In  my  last  I  wrote  him  that  I  had  engag'd  Saml. 
Bliss  with  thirty  Joiners  and  Carpenters  at  4/  per  day, 
given  Bliss  5/,  which  all  my  friends  think  a  very  great 
bargain.  If  convenient  let  me  request  you  to  call  on  him 
and  tell  him  that  everything  is  now  waiting  for  his  assent. 
I  am  very  anxious  for  his  answer.  I  am  afraid  that  the 
War  with  the  savages  will  be  detrimental]  to  our  plan. 
The  Gentleman  has  calPd,  so  I  must  close  —  saying  no 
person  wishes  more  to  serve  you  than  your  affectionate  Br., 

JOHN. 
2ist  Sept.,  [1786.] 

Addressed:    Genl.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  New  York.     Honor'd  by  Mr. 
Devan. 


FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL. 

BOSTON,  Octr.  I2th,  '86. 
Dear  Sir: 

,  I  received  your  favor  by  the  post  this  evening,  which 
receives  an  additional  merit  in  your  having  stolen  from 
convivial  companions  [to  write  to]  an  absent  friend.  You 
[torn]  business  and  I  hope  much  pleasure.  [With]  gentle- 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        321 

man  that  is  systematically  bred  to  it,  business  becomes 
pleasure.  It  enhances  the  satisfaction  therefore  of  one 
that  am  busy  about  nothing  to  be  remembered  by  you.  I 
must  consider  myself  as  highly  privileged  after  what  your 
sister  has  told  me,  for  she  says  you  seldom  write  her.  I 
see  her  last  evening.  She  asks  after  you,  and  whether 
you  are  not  addressing  a  certain  Lady.  I  reply'd  (what 
should  I  have  said?)  I  conjectured  it.  You  know  I  do  not 
like  singularity. 

I  shall  communicate  your  intention  of  coming  on,  but 
your  friends  will  doubt  your  resolution,  altho'  you  have 
given  proofs  of  personal  bravery,  of  quiting  a  place  that 
possesses  such  allurements  as  New  York. 

I  am  exceedingly  pleased  with  the  acquaintance  of  Mr. 
Freeman.  He  professes  all  and  I  am  sure  feels  great 
friendship  for  you. 

I  have  been  obliged  to  write  in  haste  or  miss  the  con 
veyance  tomorrow.  The  mail  is  closed  at  10  in  the  even 
ing,  and  the  time  approaches. 

I  have  prevailed  upon  Post  Mr.  to  keep  open  the  mail  a 
few  minutes,  which  has  given  me  time  to  scribble  a  line 
which  is  enclosed  for  your  delivery.  It  will  oblige  yours, 

E.  HASKELL. 

Addressed:  Genl.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  Broadway,  New  York. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother:  WETHERSFIELD,  23rd  October,  1786. 

I  now  send  you  by  Mr.  James  McEvers  nine  Guineas, 
which  is  all  in  my  power  to  send  you.  You  have  not 
acknowledged  the  receipt  of  forty  Dollars  which  I  gave 


322  FAMILY    LETTERS 

you,  an  order  on  Mr.  Horace  Johnson.  You  cannot  ex 
pect  that  I  can  pay  that  attention  to  your  Certificates  as 
if  I  had  nothing  to  do.  I  have  everything  on  earth  to 
contend  with.  Its  sufficient  to  make  a  man  curse  Father 
and  Mother  to  have  to  deal  with  my  countrymen.  You 
have  not  been  good  enough  to  send  the  Tent  and  Gun.  I 
wish  you  to  let  me  know  whether  it  will  be  convenient.  If 
not  I  will  procure  them.  I  have  embark'd  in  a  matter 
which  God  only  knows  how  it  will  turn  out.  I  wish  you 
to  write  me  and  inform  me  whether  our  friend  Seagrove 
will  get  out  of  his  troubles.  The  men  I  shall  carry  and 
should  he  not  be  there  I  am  afraid  it  will  ruin  me.  Do  my 
friend  (if  Business  will  permit)  write  me  fully,  for  much 
depends  on  Seagrove's  being  there.  I  have  been  at  great 
expense,  and  its  encreasing  every  hour.  I  have  Chartered 
a  Vessell  of  70  or  80  Tons,  and  shall  leave  this  by  I5th  of 
November.  Some  tell  me  he  will  not  settle  his  matters; 
do  write  me.  I  want  a  Black  Boy  to  go  with  me  as  a  private 
Servant.  I  wish  you  to  ask  Philip  to  see  Hazard,  and  see 
if  he  will  hire  himself  to  me  for  one  or  two  years.  His  old 
Master  was  here  on  Saturday  and  offer'd  to  sell  him  to  me, 
and  ses  he  will  send  down  and  have  him  taken  up.  So  he 
must  look  out.  His  name  is  Prior.  I  intend  to  go  out 
of  the  Hook  with  my  Vessell.  I  am  obliged  to  go  to  An- 
dover  this  day,  which  oblig'd  me  to  close  this  scrawl.  We 
all  desire  to  be  remember'd  to  Aunt  Polly. 

I  am  affty  Yours,  JNO.  W. 

P.  S.     do  be  so  good  as  to  deliver  our  good  friend  Sea- 
grove  the  inclos'd  letter. 

Addressed;    Genl.    Samuel    B.    Webb,    New    York.     Mr.    James 
McEvers. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        323 

FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL. 

Dear  Sam-  BOSTON,  24th  October,  1786. 

I  received  your  favor  of  the  I5th  Instant,  with  the  Accot. 
Sales  of  the  wine,  and  I  confess  to  you  I  shall  be  ashamed 
to  send  it  to  the  Gentn.  who  owns  it;  so  very  extraordinary 
wants  are  not  to  be  accounted  for  without  the  highest 
suspicions  of  fraud,  and  I  can  have  no  doubt  but  they 
were  taken  from  the  pipes,  which  were  full  and  in  good 
order  when  you  received  them.  I  beg  therefore  you  will 
make  further  enquiry  in  the  matter,  and  if  possible  get 
some  satisfaction;  and  if  not,  write  a  circumstantial  accot. 
of  the  matter  that  I  may  send  it  to  the  owner,  without 
which  I  should  be  ashamed  to  send  the  Sales.  I  have  at 
present  my  house  full  of  Barrells.  In  a  week  or  ten  days 
I  shall  thin  them  off,  and  shall  then  and  at  all  times  be 
happy  to  see  you.  I  hope  by  then  you  will  have  settled 
your  Mill  Matters  to  your  satisfaction.  I  have  never  re 
ceived  the  letter  you  mention  inclosing  the  Advertizement 
respecting  Gearey.  Send  or  bring  another  when  you  come. 
Will  nothing  be  done  about  Delancy?  I  wish  to  see  N. 
York,  and  should  have  business  in  that  line. 

Inclosed  you'll  find  a  publication  I  have  been  forced  into 
to  state  a  very  oppressive  Act  of  our  Genl.  Court.  Read 
it  and  give  me  your  opinion  if  anything  in  Turkey  can  ex 
ceed  it.  The  Senate  are  debating  whether  to  call  me  upon 
the  floor.  I  am  ready  to  attend  them  when  they  please 
and  willing  to  suffer  for  the  Truth,  if  they  think  proper  to 
extend  their  power  for  the  purpose;  but  I  havn't  done 
with  them  yet.  My  Respects  to  Aunt  Polly,  in  which  we 
all  join.  Yours  sincerely, 

Jo.  BARRELL. 


3  24  FAMILYLETTERS 

FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  3  November  1786. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  have  wrote  several  letters  of  late  and  have  not  received 
any  answers  to  them.  The  last  was  by  Mr.  James  Mc- 
Evers,  who  I  sent  8  Guineas  by.  I  have  my  vessel  and 
hands  to  go  to  Georgia,  and  our  friend  Seagrove  has  ne 
glected  sending  me  the  letters.  Its  a  matter  of  consequence 
I  should  receive  them,  as  the  carpenters  and  joiners'  pay 
commences  on  the  ijth  instant,  when  I  shall  be  here  with 
forty  men  on  pay  and  eating  our  provisions.  I  wish  you 
to  be  good  enough  to  call  on  him,  and  request  him  to  for 
ward  me  the  letters,  as  I  am  determin'd  to  sail  on  the  I5th 
-  letters  or  not.  Do  write  me  by  the  return  of  the  Post, 
particularly  the  situation  that  our  friend  is  in.  For  this 
matter  may  ruin  me  if  not  attended  to.  I  think  was  I  in 
your  place  I  should  have  assisted  you,  but  Business  I  sup 
pose  of  more  consequence  has  prevented.  I  should  have 
been  happy  to  have  seen  you  before  I  left  this,  but  you 
have  my  best  wishes  for  your  Health  and  Happiness.  I  am 
affectionately  yours, 

JNO.  WEBB. 

Addressed:   Genl.  Sam.  B.  Webb,  New  York.     Per  post. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

My  Dear  Brother: 

I  am  unhappy  to  find  by  all  your  letters  that  you  seem 
to  think  I  have  neglected  you.  On  your  arrival  here  you 
will  find  by  my  papers  that  no  one  could  have  done  more. 
I  am  shure  that  every  part  of  my  life  has  been  to  render 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        325 

you  service.  There  is  no  person  on  earth  that  would  do 
more  to  serve  you  than  myself.  I  most  sincerely  wish  you 
every  happiness  in  life,  and  should  my  matters  turn  out 
fortunate  I  will  prove  it  to  you.  I  had  promised  myself 
we  should  meet  before  I  left  this.  I  have  a  great  deal  to 
say  to  you,  but  dare  not  trust  it  to  paper.  Remember  me 
particularly  to  all  friends,  and  accept  of  my  most  sin 
cere  wishes  for  your  health  and  happiness.  I  [am]  yours 
affectionately,  JNO.  W. 

Past  I  o'clock  in  the  evening  yth  Nov.  '86. 

Addressed :  Genl.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York.    Per  Mr.  H.  Deming. 


FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL. 
Dear  Sir*  BOSTON,  November  I4th,  '86. 

I  have  to  acknowledge  your  last  favor  of  -  — ,  date 
unknown,  but  it  was  strongly  mark'd.  You  may  remember 
ink  was  used  for  sand. 

Mr.  Fitch  Hall 1  the  bearer  of  this  sets  off  for  New  York 
tomorrow  where  he  expects  to  continue  for  a  short  time. 
It  will  be  in  your  power  to  make  that  place  agreeable  to 
him;  and  as  he  is  a  very  particular  friend  of  mine,  and  I 
know  you  to  have  a  disposition  to  please,  every  attention 
shown  will  be  considered  as  fresh  marks  of  esteem  confer'd 
on  your  very  sincere  friend  and  obdt  Servt., 

E.  HASKELL. 

Addressed:  General  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  New  York.  Honored  by  Major 
Hall. 


1  In  1789  he  was  one  of  the  aids  of  General  John  Brooks,  and  was 
sent  to  ask  President  Washington  when  he  would  review  the  troops 
on  his  visit  to  Cambridge.  New  Eng.  Hist.  Gen.  Reg.,  XVI,  381. 


326  FAMILYLETTERS 

FROM  LEWIS  R.  MORRIS. 

My  Dear  Webb:  SPRINGFIELD,  30th  November,  1786. 

I  left  New  York  on  Saturday  last  and  have  got  no  farther 
yet  than  this  place.  It  now  snows  very  fast  so  that  in  all 
probability  I  remain  in  statu  quo  during  this  day.  I  am 
however  in  very  good  quarters,  vizt.  Col.  Worthington's. 
Now  if  I  can  fall  violently  in  love  with  one  of  the  young 
ladies,  I  might  possibly  turn  this  snow  storm  to  a  good 
account.  I  lodged  on  Monday  night  at  Jos.  Webb's.  All 
well,  your  Brother  was  much  surprized  that  you  had  not 
gone  from  New  York  to  Boston  much  sooner  than  you 
did.  They  appear  to  lament  it  as  it  must  deprive  them  so 
much  longer  of  your  company,  a  pleasure  which  they 
anticipate  with  much  satisfaction.  Your  Brother  Jack 
has  sailed,  but  there  is  some  doubt  whether  he  left  New 
London  before  Monday  last.  I  had  nearly  forgot  to  in 
form  you  of  our  passage  from  New  York  to  New  Haven. 
We  left  the  former  on  Saturday  morning  and  got  no  farther 
than  Whitestone.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King,  Mr.  Mrs.  Lowel, 
Mr.  Mrs.  Jervis,  Miss  Broome  an  other  lady  whose  name 
I  do  not  remember,  men  besides  without  number,  com 
posed  our  party.  On  Sunday  morning  the  wind  came  a 
head;  we  beat  till  noon  and  got  as  far  as  Hempstead  har 
bor.  We  then  went  on  shore  and  dined,  &c.,  &c.,  and  on 
Monday  morning  arrived  at  our  destined  Port  very  much 
fatigued  with  our  voyage.  Apropos !  I  saw  Fanny  on 
Friday  evening  very  well.  You  are  now,  my  friend,  far 
removed  from  New  York,  and  of  course  must  have  more 
leisure  and  find  your  mind  more  composed  to  form  your 
future  arrangements  on  the  business  I  allude  to.  Let 
them  my  friend  be  such  as  your  good  sense  not  your  pas- 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        327 

sions  dictates,  and  when  once  formed  pursue  the  system 
with  all  the  intrepidity  of  a  soldier  and  a  man  of  honor  - 
honor  to  yourself  demands  it.     My  respects  to  any  person 
who  inquires  after  me,  and  believe  me  your  sincere  friend 
and  most  obedt  humble  servt.,  L.  R.  MORRIS. 

Addressed:    Samuel   B.   Webb,   Esquire.     To   the   care  of  Joseph 
Barrell,  Esquire,  Boston.    Honor'd  by  Mr.  Williams. 


FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL. 

Saturday  [BOSTON,  December,  1786.] 

The  storm,  believe  me,  should  not  have  prevented  my 
attendance.  I  am  really  indisposed,  and  the  disappoint 
ment  in  not  having  it  my  power  is  not  a  little  mortifying. 
I  promised  and  made  very  great  dependance  on  availing 
myself  of  the  kind  offer  or  Mrs.  Geere  and  Miss  Lamb  of 
giving  me  compleat  satisfaction  this  evening.  It  is  what 
I  always  have  when  I  am  in  company  with  them  and  you. 
If  they  recollect  that  I  was  to  dine  there,  signify  to  them 
the  reason  that  prevents,  which  you  will  believe  yourself 
is  the  only  one  that  could  prevent  me.  Yours, 

E.  HASKELL. 


FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL. 

We  have  been  fast  tied  by  the  teeth,  and  I  did  not  break 
loose  until  your  note  arrived.  If  I  can  disengage  myself  I 
will  see  you  this  evening,  but  I  am  told  it  will  be  difficult. 

Freeman  I  have  seen  and  tomorrow  evening  we  will  card 
him.  Yours,  E.  HASKELL. 

[BOSTON,  December  3,  1786.] 


328  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

[WETHERSFIELD,  January,  1787.] 
Dear  Brother: 

Your's  I  have  Reed.,  and  confess  to  you  I  am  surpriz'd 
to  hear  our  Brother  has  not  arriv'd.  He  saiPd  on  the  28th 
Nov.,  and  to  appearance  as  fine  a  time  as  one  coud  boast 
of;  but  upon  reflection  I  recollect  the  wind  was  better  to 
run  off  the  Coast  than  to  the  Southard.  Those  vessels 
that  went  out  with  him  had  but  ten,  eleven  and  twelve  days 
passage  to  the  West  Indies.  To  answer  the  part  of  your 
letter,  I  can  say  he  was  well  Man'd,  Navigated  by  fine 
Seamen  in  abundance,  and  had  a  most  superb  Sloop,  as 
good  one  as  swims  in  water. 

God  grant  all  may  be  well.  I  trust  if  they  arrive  we 
must  soon  hear,  and  I  wish  and  think  they  will  do  well. 

As  to  Colo.  H—  — ,  between  you  and  I,  I  can't  think  He 
will  relinquish  it,  for  I  believe  He's  quite  out  of  Business. 
He's  not  here,  or  I  woud  sift  him --that  is  round  about. 
I  coud  find  out  incog.  I  coud  with  ease  have  obtain'd  the 
berth  at  first.  As  to  money,  Oh  Brother,  there  is  hardly 
any  such  thing  amongst  us.  I  am  rideing  Day  and  Night, 
but  get  little  more  than  to  carry  on  the  necessary  Law 
Suits  to  secure  Debts.  I  want  to  write  you  a  long  Chit 
Chat  letter.  Has  McEvers  assigned  all  over  to  his  Cred 
itors?  Who  are  his  Creditors?  What  is  their  object? 
What  is  the  Law,  should  they  push?  He's  within  the  Law 
of  being  within  the  British  Lines,  I  suppose.  Write  me 
fully.  I  wish  you  woud  [engage]  in  some  advantageous 
Business.  So  do  I  wish  I  was;  and  indeed  between  you 
and  I,  coud  I  stock  my  works  it  woud  be  a  genteel  living, 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB  3  29 

and  this  place  woud  be  clever  for  the  Webbs  old  Mansion 
place.     How  shall  I  obtain  this  great  object? 

Addressed:   General  Saml.  B.  Webb,  New  York.     Per  stage. 


JOSEPH  WEBB  TO  THOMAS  LEVERETT. 

Dear  Leverett: 

The  Business  /  begun  on  Paper  for  you  was  for  a  blind. 
I  hope  you  find  your  Health  mending.  Depend  on  it,  my 
friend,  you  must  pay  attention,  or  your  Constitution  is 
ruined.  You  may  now  mend,  and  indeed  entirely  recover 
if  you  will;  all  depends  on  your  attention.  More  I  need 
not  say.  Has  Shipman  of  Glastenbury  arrived  in  [New] 
York?  Has  He  got  any  Hides?  What  is  the  price  of 
Hides,  and  other  things  in  York?  What  is  the  reason  you 
have  not  wrote  me?  When  do  you  expect  to  return? 
How  do  you  like  the  Gay  Town  ?  Tell  Aunt  Polly  Duyc- 
kinck  I  am  sorry  she's  not  here.  The  things  she  sent  all 
arrived  in  good  Order  and  pleased.  Butler  was  married 
last  Thursday  Evening  to  Polly  Belden;  had  nobody  there 
but  Relations.  Its  a  matter  of  much  speculation.  Except 
Mit[chell],  March—  -  and  Porter,  those  three  family s,  no 
other  are  pleased  with  the  Match,  I  believe.  So  much  chit 
chat  at  her  Disadvantage  makes  me  sorry,  altho  I  think 
she's  been  a  fool  to  have  him.  But  after  all  shes  young 
and  knows  no  better  —  a  poor  silly  — .  I  say  nothing. 

I  wish  you  woud  call  on  Mr.  Thos.  Ivers,  and  get  him  to 
state  his  Acct.  with  Silas  Deane;  also  with  me. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  tell  you  that  the  new  Bell  is  ar- 


33O  FAMILY     LETTERS 

rived,  and  we  have  placed  it  on  4  Hogsheads,  so  that  we 
have  sounded  it,  and  it  pleases. 

Justus  Riley  went  to  New  London  on  Tuesday  last,  and 
is  not  yet  returned.  I  deliv'd  the  wife  the  Letter  Colo. 
Webb  Requested.  Yr  H.  Servt., 

Jos.  WEBB. 

January  I5th,  1787. 

I  sent  per  James  Bull  a  Calve  Skin  for  G.  G.  Beekman, 
to  be  left  with  Edward  Gould. 

I  wish  you  woud  find  Thos.  Hazard  the  Currier,  used  to 
work  for  Denny,  now  in  York.  I  lent  him  a  Guinea, 
which  get  of  him  and  four  years'  Interest  at  7  p  ct. 

Addressed:  Mr.  Thomas  Leverett,  to  the  care  of  General  S.  B. 
Webb,  New  York. 


FROM  HENRY  W.  LIVINGSTON. 

Mr.  Henry  W.  Livingston  presents  his  Compliments  to 
Genl.  Webb,  and  requests  the  favor  of  his  Company  to 
pass  the  evening  on  Wednesday  next. 

Wednesday  Morning,  [i7th  January,  1787.] 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Thursday  Morng, 
January  18,  1787. 

Dear  Brother: 

I  was  writing  you  this  Morng.,  and  the  stage  past  in 
haste,  and  I  coud  not  have  time  to  close  it,  date  or  any 
thing,  only  in  the  manner  you  reed.  it.  I  sent  it.  I  thot 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  33! 

in  its  rough  state  it  woud  convince  you  I  had  reed  your 
letter  and  let  you  know  we  had  not  heard  of  our  Brother. 
I  wish  I  coud  say  I  was  not  anxious,  but  yet  as  the  winds 
was  when  He  left  New  London,  he  may  yet  be  well;  but 
at  best  he's  had  a  long  disagreeable  voyage. 

I  hope  you  are  on  friendly  terms  with  McEvers.  What 
is  He  about?  What  am  I  to  do?  Will  He,  after  what  I 
have  done  for  him,  Assign  over  my  Debt  without  con 
sulting  me;  with  his  other  Debts,  if  they  push?  He  was 
within  the  British  lines.  Your  Laws  I  suppose  give  him 
no  advantage  better  than  others  that  staid  within  the 
Lines  except  confiscation,  but  liable  to  be  paid  in  public 
Securities.  This  to  yourself.  Weigh  and  find  out  round 
about,  and  write  me  fully.  I  look  upon  Charles  the  Elder 
a  good  man;  but  as  to  any  of  the  family,  or  even  Jemmy, 
I  have  no  good  opinion  of  their  lenity.  Jemmy  loged  here 
last  evening  and  appears  to  be  vastly  clever  and  friendly. 
He  advises  me  by  all  means  to  come  to  York  and  make 
terms  with  the  ASSIGNEES.  Those  Assignees  are  his 
Brother  and  Law.  By  Leverett  write  me  fully,  and  send 
me  the  paper  that  has  His  Assignments  in.  If  He  is  not 
attentive  to  me  He's  ungrateful  to  the  last  degree.  Charles 
McEvers  ought  in  conscience  to  reserve  that  Debt  from 
Assignment,  for  I  sav'd  him  ten  times  more  than  all  my 
Debt.  Cant  you  find  out  by  Charles  the  Elder,  what  his 
determination  is,  and  what  his  sentiments  are?  Woud 
you  advise  me  to  come  to  York?  Do  me  all  the  service 
you  can  with  Alsop  and  King.  Your  sister  Webb  is  ex 
tremely  well,  and  desires  to  be  rememb'd.  She  has  road 
out.  She  and  so  is  all  the  rest  of  your  friends  Chagrin'd 
that  we  had  so  little  of  your  time.  I  wish  you  woud  tell 
Ebenr.  Hazard  he  ought  to  indulge  us  with  a  post  office  in 


332  FAMILY    LETTERS 

this  Town.     Jared  Burr  will  take  it.     Mitchell  will  assist 
you. 

Yr.  H  Servt  as  well  as  most  Afft  Br.  and  friend, 

J.  WEBB. 
I  owe  Ch.  McEvers 

Augustus  Vanhorn 

The  debt  of  Alsop  or  King 

Perry,  Hayes  and  Sherbrooke 

G.  G.  Beekman 

Wm.  Denning 

D.  Phenix  (cant  hurt  me) 

Broome  &  Co.  owe  me 

(Morton  Estate,  to  be  settled  by  agremt.  here  to 

mutual  satisfaction  between  Root  and  me.) 
Jere  Wadsworth  goes  from  here  for  York  next  Monday 
with  Harriot. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

NEW  HAVEN,  February  Qth,  1787. 

At  Pierpont  Edwards's.1 
Dear  Brother: 

I  have  reed,  no  letter  from  you  since  my  two  last.  I 
wish  you  to  write  me  a  long  circumstantial  letter  in  answer 
to  all  I  have  wrote  you.  I  must  confess  to  you  I  am  ex 
tremely  anxious  about  our  Brother  Jack.  Not  a  word 
have  I  heard  since  He  sail'd  from  New  London.  He  left 
this  place  on  the  28th  November.  I  dare  not  venture  to 
let  your  Sister  Webb  know  my  Anxiety  about  him.  I  tell 
her  the  Westerly  Winds  have  drove  him  off  to  the  West 

1  Son  of  Rev.  Jonathan  Edwards,  and  a  judge  of  the  United  States 
District  Court. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  333 

Indies.  Do  write  me  often.  No  one  can  be  so  busy,  but 
He  may  snatch  away  from  hurry  time  enough  to  answer 
his  friends  letters.  I  have  reed  the  new  Bell  from  London, 
and  errected  it,  and  a  most  excellent  one  it  is,  weighg.  1600 
Ibs.  This  will  be  sent  you  by  Mrs.  Bull.  Joseph  Bull  will 
soon  return  from  York;  by  him  you  can  send  me  the  Accts. 
I  wrote  you  for.  The  Mems  you  left  with  me  will  soon 
be  compleated,  and  I  will  send  you  the  things  by  some 
team  to  New  Haven,  and  from  New  Haven  by  water  if  you 
request  it.  I  am  here  to  close  my  Accts.  with  Broome, 
which  I  hope  I  shall  close  to  my  mind. 

Yr.  H.  Servt.  and  most  Afft.  Br., 

J.  WEBB. 

Joseph  Barrell  wants  a  Bottle  of  Genuine  Mardant's 
Drops.  Send  it  direct  to  him  or  me,  and  I  will  forward  it. 
Do  not  fail  the  first  oppt.,  as  He  wants  it  much  for  one  of 
his  children. 


FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL. 

BOSTON,  February  nth,  1787. 
My  Dear  Webb: 

I  received  your  two  favors,  for  which  I  am  indebted  and 
hold  myself  reprehensible,  at  a  moment  when  many  objects 
of  a  military  nature  and  therefore  of  importance  were 
pressing  so  close  upon  me,1  as  to  leave  not  even  leisure  to 
pay  a  debt  justly  tho'  not  often  due.  Prove  me  again  in 
the  same  way,  and  the  oftener  the  more  you  will  evince 
your  friendship,  and  I  promise  never  to  be  so  far  in  arrears. 
I  told  Hetty  what  I  had  wrote  you,  and  she  was  hurt  on 

1  In  connection  with  Shays'  rebellion. 


334  FAMILY     LETTERS 

the  same  point  I  find  you  winch.  I  will  not  again  offend 
your  feelings  on  this  head,  but  leave  it  to  its  own  oppera- 
tion  to  determine  whether  you  or  myself  know  what  we 
are.  Your  sister  says  we  believe  the  same  thing  of  each 
other.  That  is  we  both  suspect  the  weakness  of  the  other 
in  a  certain  matter,  while  each  is  sure  of  his  own  strength. 
It  was  extreme  goodness,  was  it  not,  for  a  young  lady  to 
advance  even  to  a  something  not  short  of  a  declaration  to 
you,  because  she  conceived  the  happiness  of  him  she  de 
clared  in  favor  of  concerned.  This  no  doubt  was  the  real 
situation,  and  such  tenderness,  tho'  unsuccessful  yourself, 
you  must  needs  admire.  The  expedient  shows  resourse  of 
mind,  and  I  hope  it  has  succeeded  to  every  one's  expectation . 
There,  will  be  done. 

What  can  I  do?     They  will  not  write  to  me.     Do  they 

speak  to  you?     If  so,  ask  one  who  looks  the  best  natured 

towards  me,  if  you  dare  to  write  me  what  they  will  not 

write.     At  the  same  time  my  correspondence  is  at  an  end 

-  not  with  you.     Yours, 

E.  H. 

Write  me  by  every  conveyance. 

Addressed:  General  S.  B.  Webb,  New  York.    Hon'd  by  Mr.  Thorp. 


To  ELNATHAN  HASKELL. 

N  YORK,  Wednesday  Evening, 

2Oth  February,  1786  [1787.] 
Dear  Sir: 

Yours  of  the  i8th  Instant  was  handed  me  this  morning 
by  Mr.  Flint,  together  with  the  ballance  due  me.  It 
would  have  been  more  pleasing  had  the  amount  been  vested 
in  New  York  finals,  or  Continental  Loan  Office  Certificates. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        335 

Should  you  proceed  in  further  purchases  on  the  conditions 
stated  in  my  letter  of  the  I4th  Instant,  (which  was  for 
warded  by  Major  Swan),  you  may  draw  on  me  for  the 
amount  payable  at  sight,  not  however  to  exceed  One 
Thousand  Dollars;  and  if  you  have  a  mind  to  risk  an  equal 
share  of  profits,  without  any  charge  of  Commissions  or 
other  expense,  I  have  no  objections.  Of  this,  however, 
please  to  notify  me  before,  or  at  the  time  of  forwarding  the 
paper. 

In  the  course  of  conversation  this  Evening  with  Mrs. 
[blank]  your  name  [for  the  first  time  since  my  arrival  in 
Town]  was  mentioned  by  me.  This  brought  on  some 
thing  respecting  your  letter,  when  I  took  occasion  to  men 
tion  you  had  shown  it  me  in  Boston.  It  was  not  expressed 
by  you  as  a  secret,  nor  have  I  an  idea  you  wish'd  it;  I, 
however,  have  thought  it  my  duty  to  give  you  this  infor 
mation;  the  Father  and  Daughter  were  both  out,  no  offer 
was  made  of  your  letters.  I  should  do  injustice  to  Mrs. 
\blanK\  did  I  not  say  she  spoke  of  you  in  very  respectfull 
terms,  and  particularly  said  "she  always  had  an  esteem 
for  you."  I  have  been  induced  to  inform  you  of  this  con 
versation,  as  in  a  late  letter  I  assured  you  not  a  word  had 
been  said  of  you  (to  me)  by  the  persons  alluded  to  since  my 
return  from  Boston,  and  I  shall  not  fail  of  informing  them 
I  have  given  you  this  information  as  I  wish  not  to  do  or 
say  anything  which  may  ever  appear  disingenuous.  I 
cannot,  my  friend,  altogether  justify  your  conduct.  I  do 
not  think  you  have  acted  with  all  that  candor  which  you 
ought  in  a  business  of  such  magnitude;  not  however  that 
I  know  it  will  give  the  Lady  the  least  uneasiness,  for  I  have 
not  heard  a  sentiment  on  the  subject  since  I  left  you;  but 
I  confess  if  she  is  happy,  it  must  be  owing  more  to  her  own 


FAMILY     LETTERS 

resolutions  than  your  propriety  of  conduct.  The  subject, 
however,  I  believe  painfull  to  you,  and  I  will  not  longer 
dwell  on  it.  I  hope  we  shall  soon  see  you  here,  when  I 
shall  take  the  liberty  of  again  pressing  you  to  say  in  person 
what  I  advised  you  to  write  --  that  is,  provided  your  senti 
ments  are  the  same  as  when  we  last  conversed  together. 
Capt.  Phillips  goes  for  Boston  in  a  few  days;  by  him  you 
shall  hear  from  me,  but  not  a  word  about  females,  nor  is  it 
my  wish  ever  again  to  touch  the  subject.  Tell  my  Sister 
H.  I  will  write  her;  she  shall  no  longer  complain  of  the 
neglect  of  her  Brother  and  your  friend, 

S.  B.  WEBB. 


FROM  WALTER  LIVINGSTON. 

Mr.  Walter  Livingston  presents  his  compliments  to 
Genl.  Webb,  and  requests  the  pleasure  of  his  company  at 
dinner  tomorrow  on  Salmon  with  a  few  friends. 

Thursday  [NEW  YORK,  March,  1787.] 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother: 

Not  a  line  from  Jack  Webb  since  the  first  without  date. 
I  hope  you  have  and  can  acquaint  me  what  they  are  all 
about.  I  find  you  more  neglectful  in  answering  my  letters 
than  I  am  yours.  Pray  answer  all  the  questions  I  put  to 
you  from  time  to  time,  as  they  may  render  me  essential 
service.  I  have  sent  to  Windsor,  East  Hartford,  and  the 
rounds  about,  but  without  any  success  for  Salmon.  The 
water  is  muddy  and  too  high.  I  shall  remember  you  in  due 
season,  provided  they  are  caught. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        337 

I  wish  you  would  write  me  the  price  of  Cabin  and  steerage 
passengers  from  [New]  York  to  Georgia,  as  a  vessel  will 
soon  go  from  Hartford,  and  I  am  about  sending  some  Bar 
rels  to  Jack,  and  He  says  the  price  is  York  price  and  knows 
no  other.  This  leaves  things  quite  uncertain.  I  am, 
Dear  Sam, 

Your  Most  Affect.  Broth, 

Jos.  WEBB. 

March  iQth  1787. 


Pray  have  you  sent  forward  my  letters  to  London? 
When  you  have  a  private  Opport.  to  Georgia  I  wish  you 
would  enclose  the  letters  to  Jack  that  I  sent  you  for  his 
work  people,  and  others.  His  first  Captain  of  the  Vessel, 
Nott,  has  got  home,  but  has  never  CalFd  on  me.  I  sup 
pose  He  and  Jack  have  fallen  out.  I  wish  Br.  Jack  woud 
command  his  Temper  more  for  his  own  sake;  but  in  this 
case  I  do  not  know  who  is  most  to  blame  or  either.  I  sent 
you  a  pair  Boot  Legs,  soals,  &c.  from  Denny.  He  is  not 
so  much  to  blame  as  you  may  think.  He  is  hurt  you 
think  so,  but  he  has  had  none  that  would  please  you,  be 
sides  what  belonged  to  other  people.  He  will  endeavor 
to  please  you  in  a  thiner  pair  in  the  Month  of  April.  I 
shoud  be  too  happy  had  I  a  full  supply  of  stock.  What 
can  be  done?  I  must  devise  ways  and  means  somehow  or 
somehow.  Yr.  H.  Servt.  and  Afft.  Br., 

J.  WEBB. 

I  have  advised  Barrell  to  take  Nancy  and  go  by  water  to 
[New]  York,  and  so  up  the  North  River  to  Lebanon  Pool. 
I  believe  very  much  in  the  waters.  I  assure  you  I  believe 
they  woud  help  her  in  Twenty  Days. 


338  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL. 

BOSTON,  March  nth,  '87. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

Yours  I  have  dated  the  28th  ulto.  If  you  was  Minister 
of  the  United  Netherlands,  or  in  any  other  public  employ 
ment  or  in  private  keeping,  you  could  not  appear  more  in 
haste  than  you  commonly  do  when  you  write  any  of  your 
friends.  This  I  believe  commonly  happens  with  people  in 
your  and  my  situation.  To  set  down  in  a  cool  formal  de 
liberate  manner  to  answer  a  letter  to  a  friend  is  what  I 
seldom  do,  but  wait  until  the  last  moment,  and  then  am 
compelled  to  scribble  in  such  monstrous  haste  as  renders 
it  almost  unintelligible.  This  will  be  a  proof  in  point. 

The  Dulcinea  of  your  affections  in  this  quarter  appears 
every  day  more  amiable  and  attracts  universal  admiration. 
Her  public  appearance  at  the  last  assembly  was  beyond 
description  eligant.  She  is  a  charming  girl.  She  sings, 
plays  upon  the  Harpsichord,  and  dances,  to  use  the  common 
expression  on  beings  so  perfect,  divinely.  I  spoke  to  her 
of  you.  You  are  a  happy  man  if  you  would  but  improve 
the  favorable  opinion  she  entertains  of  you. 

It  is  probable  the  Troops  from  this  state  will  march  soon, 
and  for  the  westward  —  Springfield  and  Berkshire. 

Your  Sisters  are  well,  and  uncommonly  well  pleased  at 
your  industry  of  writing  nearly  two  lines  in  their  favor  or 
about  them,  rather.  Yours  &c., 

E.  H. 

Addressed:   B.  Genl.  S.  B.  Webb,  New  York.    Post. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB      339 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

My  Dear  Brother:  Ist  APril>  '787- 

As  I  was  Rideing  about  eight  Days  since,  My  Horse's 
fore  legs  of  a  sudden  broke  thro  the  frost  and  hove  me  off, 
then  fell  upon  me,  so  as  to  break  Two  of  my  Ribbs,  wounded 
another,  and  bruise  my  Head  very  much,  so  that  I  look  as 
if  I  had  been  to  an  Irish  wedding.  I  expect  to  be  well  in  a 
few  days.  I  walk  about  House,  and  have  walked  in  the 
Garden  this  Day.  I  have  thro  much  anxiety,  troable,  and 
vexation,  at  last  got  a  Salmon,  which  will  Cost  as  much  as 
it  comes  to.  I  wish  it  may  come  in  good  Order.  The 
water  has  been  high  and  muddy,  so  that  a  vast  number  of 
fine  fellows  have  escaped  our  nets,  and,  indeed,  this  is  the 
only  one  been  caught  in  Town.  I  have  sent  to  Windsor 
and  East  Hartford,  and  coud  get  none.  Forward  my  let 
ters  to  London  and  to  Georgia.  I  wish  you  woud  write  me 
more  fully  about  Jack.  Is  there  Vessels  going  constantly 
to  Savanna?  I  must  send  him  some  Negroes  and  some 
N.  E.  Rum.  He  says  &c.,  &c.  We  are  out  of  Choice 
good  Tea.  My  love  to  Aunt  Polly  and  the  Circle.  Your 
affectionate  Br., 

Jos.  WEBB. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  send  you  by  the  Stage  three  Salmon 
One  weighs  36% 
i        Do     27% 
I        Do     2714 

which  cost  6d  L[awful]  m[oney]  per 
p[ound]. 


34-O  FAMILY     LETTERS 

The  one  sent  you  cost  yd.  I  suppose  by  tomorrow  Night 
they  may  be  down  to  3^.  I  know  not  what  you  intend 
about  them,  or  how  [to]  divide  them.  They  will  Cost  you 
much  I  fear  (but  do  you  recollect  my  friends  Jno.  [seal], 
G.  G.  Beekman,  Mrs.  Sherbrooke,  A.  Vanhorn;  in  short 
I  shall  say  nothing  about  them. 

I  inclose  you  some  Letters  to  forward  to  Georgia.  Re 
member  us  about  some  Tea,  as  we  are  out  of  Good.  I  have 
debeted  the  Salmon  and  Box  to  you  for  the  present.  Write 
me  often,  and  let  me  know  how  you  all  do,  and  how  you 
get  along.  Yr  Afft.  Br., 

Jos.  WEBB. 

April  4th,  1787. 


FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL. 

BOSTON,  May  26,  1787. 
Dear  Sam: 

Inclosed  you  will  find  a  letter  for  Capt.  Green.  After 
you  have  perused  it,  seal  and  deliver  it  inter  nos.  I  think 
he  has  not  used  me  well  by  any  means.  I  wish  however 
to  have  the  matter  settled  amicably,,  and  try  what  can  be 
done  in  that  line;  but  if  he  is  not  disposed  to  do  me  Justice 
I  must  insist  on  your  endeavours  to  see  it  is  done.  You'll 
see  I  want  first  the  sales  of  the  goods  which  he  disposed  of, 
which  were  the  best  of  what  was  returned,  and  cost  in 
China  about  2100  Dollars.  I  must  beg  you  will  attend  to 
this,  and  press  him  for  his  Accounts  untill  he  gives  them  to 
you.  This  will  be  handed  by  Mr.  Pintard,  who  will  re 
turn  immediately  here  by  him.  I  wish  you  to  write  me 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB  34! 

fully.     Nancy   remains   yet   the   same.     The   rest  of   the 
Family  are  well. 

I  am,  Dear  Sam,  Your  friend  and  Brother, 

Jos.  BARRELL. 

Addressed:    Sam'l  B.  Webb,  Esq.,  at  New  York.     Favor  Mr.  Pin- 
tard. 


FROM  JOHN  MEIGS. 

MIDDLETOWN,  May  29th,  1787. 
Sir: 

I  have  been  waiting  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  for  some 
time  past,  but  your  not  having  made  a  visit  in  this  state 
has  induced  me  to  write  you  a  Line  at  this  time.  I  have 
desired  Mr.  Parsons  the  bearer  of  this  letter  to  wait  on  you, 
and  provided  you  have  any  Mony  for  the  final  settlements, 
shall  be  much  obliged  to  you  to  remit  it  by  him,  as  I  am 
necessitated  for  Cash  at  this  time,  which  will  greatly 
oblige,  Yours  sincerely, 

JOHN  MEIGS. 

Addressed:  Brigdr.  Genl.  Saml.  B.  Webb,  New  York.  Fav'd  by 
Mr.  Parsons. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Brother: 

Its  a  long  time  since  I  have  heard  from  you.  When  do 
you  and  Aunt  Polly  think  of  coming  this  way?  Pray  if 
you  cant  come,  let  her  come  in  some  friend's  care,  and  I 
will  pay  the  Stage.  Am[os]  B[u]ll  attempts  to  get  a  Bill 
of  divorce  from  Mrs.  B[ull];  its  put  over  untill  October 
Sessions.  'Where  is  She?  What  is  her  character?  When 


342  FAMILY     LETTERS 

did  you  hear  from  Brother  Jack?  He  begs  we  woud  not 
forget  we  have  a  Brother  in  Georgia.  I  have  not  heard 
from  him  since  27th  March.  What  says  our  worthy  friend 
Sherbrooke?  Yr.  H.  Servt  as  well  as  affectionate  Brother, 

Jos.  WEBB. 
June  nth,  1787. 

Have  you  sent  my  Letters  to  Effingham  Lawrence  ?  And 
if  they  are  gone,  pray  let  me  know  by  whom.  Please  to 
forward  all  the  Letters  to  Georgia  in  due  season.  Between 
you  and  me  I  have  had  an  Arbitration  with  Saml.  Browne, 
and  they  brot.  in  my  favor  a  Balance  due  me,  but  not 
enough.  I  know  this  will  give  you  satisfaction,  as  He 
once  Chatted  with  you  on  the  subject  as  tho  I  owed  Him. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York.  Per  Mr.  Stores. 
I  little  Bundle. 


FROM  SAMUEL  HODGSON. 1 

PHILADELPHIA,  I3th  June,  1787. 
Dear  Sir: 

On  my  return  from  a  southern  tour  I  found  your  favour 
of  the  1 5th  ultimo,  advising  of  your  drafts  for  82  dollars 
Paper  Money,  which  when  presented  shall  be  duly  hon 
oured.  Your  three  Tickets  Nos.  1061,  63  and  67  are 
prizes  of  25  dollars  each;  the  other  is  a  Blank.  The  tickets 
must  be  produced  previous  to  payment.  You  will  please 
to  enclose  them  for  that  purpose. 

With  esteem  I  am,  dear  Sir,  Your  most  obedient  servant, 

SAML.  HODGSON. 


1  A  partner  in  business  of  Timothy  Pickering. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        343 

FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL. 

BOSTON,  June  lyth,  1787. 

Since  my  return,  Dear  Sir,  from  the  country,  where  I 
was  detained  much  longer  than  I  intended  to  have  been, 
your  favors  of  the  2Oth  May  and  2nd  June  were  handed  to 
me.  Your  polite  intentions  to  Major  Erving  he  expressed 
to  me  yesterday,  and  lamented  the  weather  was  such  as 
prevented  him  making  with  you  a  visit  to  the  several  strong 
grounds  and  fortifications  in  the  vicinity  of  New  York. 

Not  long  since  there  was  a  probability  of  my  visiting 
your  city,  which  I  have  now  altogether  given  up  the  idea 
of,  or  if  I  do,  it  is  at  a  distance  from  this  period.  Boston 
will  be  my  place  of  residence  during  the  warm  season,  not 
of  necessity  but  of  choice,  where  I  shall  expect  you  soon. 
Since  my  return  only  two  days  ago,  I  have  not  seen  Tyler. 
From  him  I  shall  learn  your  mischief,  and  I  promise  you 
that  the  most  ill  natured  use  possible  shall  be  made  of  it, 
unless  you  in  person  communicate  that  part  of  it  with 
which  he  is  unacquainted.  Barrel  I  see  yesterday,  who 
tells  me  no  alteration  has  taken  place  at  his  house.  We 
conversed  of  you,  and  both  wished  it  had  been  to  you. 
There  is  a  rage  for  politics  and  Arms  existing  in  Boston, 
tho  in  everything  there  prevails  a  violent  opposition.  Now 
is  your  time  to  visit  it.  I  continue  a  spectator  in  all  things, 
and  it  will  be  an  improvement  to  have  your  assistance. 

All  the  artillery  of  party  rage  is  levelled  in  the  House  of 
Representatives,  but  insurgency,  tho'  it  bellows  loud,  is 
silenced  by  the  well  directed  fire  of  two  Governmental 
pieces  --  Sedgwick  and  [Theophilus]  Parsons.  Yours 
adieu. 

E.  HASKELL. 


344  FAMILY     LETTERS 

FROM  GARY  LuDLow.1 

NEW  YORK,  July  9,  1787. 
Dear  Sir: 

The  Executors  of  Mr.  Charles  Crooke  2  deceased  have 
repeatedly  been  called  upon  by  the  Legatees,  &c.,  for  their 
dividends  of  the  Estate,  and  their  necessities  are  such  that 
they  have  lately  put  the  bonds  of  the  said  estate  in  my 
hands  for  the  purpose  of  collecting  them  in,  with  positive 
directions  to  have  them  immediately  prosecuted  unless 
forthwith  discharged.  Among  them  I  find  a  bond  given 
by  Mr.  Richd  Banker,  dated  II  March,  1761,  conditioned 
for  the  payment  of  £200,  on  which  the  Interest  is  due  from 
March,  1775.  I  have  long  since  had  similar  directions 
respecting  a  bond  of  £100  due  to  James  Devereux,  with  Int. 
from  May,  1775.  I  shall  feel  myself  happy  if  this  business 
could  be  accommodated  by  my  friend  without  an  Increase 
of  charges. 

From  His  Humble  Servt., 

GARY  LUDLOW. 


FROM  JAMES  SEAGROVE. 

SAVANNAH,  Sunday  afternoon,  22  July,  1787. 
Dear  Sam: 

I  certainly  should  not  give  you  the  Trouble  of  a  line  at 
this  time  was  not  the  opportunity  so  very  inviting,  and 
just  to  thank  you  most  kindly  for  the  many  long  Letters 
and  full  information  you  promised,  which  have  never  yet 
found  their  way  to  Georgia.  I  still  live  in  hope  that  I  am 

1  Surrogate  in  New  York  after  the  peace. 

2  Charles  Crook,  merchant  of  New  York,  left  a   wife  Anneke,  and 
children,  John,  Charles,  and  Cornelia.    Cornelia  married  a  Ludlow. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        345 

not  totaly  lost  in  your  remembrance,  tho'  I  fear  in  your 
Esteem;  at  least  in  your  attention.  Trust  all  this  has  not 
lessened  one  jot  or  tittle  my  affection  and  Friendship  for 
you,  and  only  hope  when  you  spare  a  moment  from  the 
service  of  your  Female  Friends,  you  would  think  of  the 
unfortunate  Exile. 

J.  SEAGROVE. 
Mrs.  S.  desires  best  respects. 

Addressed:    Brigr.  Genl.   Saml.   B.  Webb,  New  York.     By  Major 
Webb. 


FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL. 

BOSTON,  August  26th,  '87. 
Dear  Sir: 

Yours  of  the  2nd  instant  was  handed  me  on  the  23rd, 
with  the  enclosures.  The  letter  was  delivered  to  your 
sister,  and  the  Chancellor's  oration,1  for  which  I  return 
you  Brooks's  2  with  my  thanks,  shall  be  disposed  of  as 
you  direct.  Daws's  performance  would  afford  you  little 
amusement  or  instruction.3  It  is  in  my  opinion  a  produc 
tion  which  would  have  been  expected  from  a  promising 
school  boy,  and  nothing  more.  This  to  your  self. 

Shaw  was  on  the  eve  of  departure  before  I  was  acquainted 
with  his  being  in  Town.  I  wish  I  could  have  seen  more  of 
him.  He  has  told  me  the  amiable  fair  one  (for  still  do  you 
not  think  such  and  more  of  her,  and  why  may  not  I)  has 
gone  to  be  benefited  by  the  Springs  of  Lebanon.  Gallantry 

1  Robert  R.  Livingston's  oration  before  the  New  York  Society  of 
the  Cincinnati,  1787. 

2  John  Brooks'  oration  before  the  Massachusetts  Society,  1787. 

3  Thomas  Dawes,  oration  on  July  4,  1787. 


346  FAMILY     LETTERS 

should  have  dictated,  and  you  complied  with  it,  the  guard 
ing  her  steps  upon  such  a  rugged  rout,  and  secure  her 
from  vulgar  attacks  in  her  bathing  and  unguarded  mo 
ments.  By  a  judicious  arrangement  you  might  have 
lavished  to  y9urself  a  sight  no  mortal  eye  has  yet  been 
ravished  with.  Her  polished  limbs  exposed  to  view  you 
have  often  dreamed  of;  but  to  realize  would  be  an  immortal 
feast.  To  me  however,  who  am  not  easily  warmed,  there 
appears  a  stain  upon  her  conduct  which  cannot  be  effaced 
by  all  the  waters  which  the  imagination  is  capable  of  con 
ceiving  of. 

If  at  periods  when  irritation  has  powerfully  opperated  I 
have  lessened  her  merits  and  heightened  her  foibles,  it  was 
not  with  a  malicious  intention  to  injure.  Cooler  reason 
convinces  she  has  many  virtues  and  but  few  faults.  They 
are  blended  as  in  other  fairest  characters.  Of  this  how 
ever  you,  who  have  the  advantage  of  two  pair  of  Eyes,  will 
and  ought  to  be  the  sole  judge.  Yours  In  haste  Adieu. 

E.  HASKELL. 

Addressed:   Saml.  B.  Webb,  New  York.    Honored  by  Mr.  Shaw. 


FROM  ELNATHAN  HASKELL. 

BOSTON,  August  3ist,  1787. 
Dear  Webb: 

I  wrote  you  by  Shaw,  enclosing  Brooks's  oration,  since 
which  I  have  received  yours  of  the  2Oth.  I  had  conceived 
previous  to  the  receit  of  this  letter  that  I  had  returned  two 
for  one,  and  that  there  was  greater  reason  to  expect  being 
chided  for  having  over  shot  the  mark  than  falling  short. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        347 

On  that  point  I  am  at  ease,  and  sit  down  to  give  you  2/6 
postage,  which  is  more  than  this  can  be  worth. 

I  am  well  pleased  with  the  prospects  of  Fanny.  There 
is  something  in  the  recollection  of  the  good  opinion  we  have 
entertained  of  another  that  gratifies  us  on  hearing  of  their 
prosperity,  although  they  may  have  long  since  forfeited 
their  merit.  Or  to  see  a  person  in  affliction  from  unworthi- 
ness  that  has  once  been  the  object  of  our  affection  would 
give  poignancy  even  to  pain  itself.  In  the  present  in 
stance  without  being  violently  moved  by  one  or  the  other 
of  these  emotions  I  think  she  may  become,  if  married,  the 
very  fine  lady,  to  a  fine  gentleman. 

You  mention  respecting  my  letters  and  having  asked  for 
them.  It  is  long  since  that  my  ultimatum  was  forwarded, 
and  I  believe  by  you.  My  never  having  received  an 
answer  either  to  this  or  any  other,  nor  my  request  in  hav 
ing  those  letters  returned  not  complied  with,  is  construed 
by  me  into  an  intentional  insult.  Whether  the  insult 
is  more  to  themselves  or  to  me  I  will  not  pretend  to 
determine. 

I  am  very  glad  you  persevere  in  your  intention  of  coming 
to  Boston,  and  I  hope  you  will  bear  off  Platt  at  the  same 
time. 

The  precise  time  for  the  departure  of  the  Fleet  is  not 
fixed.  They  will  be  seen  if  you  arrive  in  all  September. 

Tyler  1  has  been  in  town  frequently  of  late,  and  is  con 
stantly  unfolding  amiable  and  witty  talents. 

Mr.  Barrel  and  family  are  well.  Your  sister  spotless 
except  in  her  love  of  you,  which  with  all  your  faults  she 
still  feels  and  expresses.  Whenever  I  can  prevail  upon  her 

1  Royall  Tyler,  jurist,  and  author  of  the  "  Contrast,"  the  first  Amer 
ican  play  acted  by  an  established  company  of  comedians. 


348  FAMILY     LETTERS 

to  join  with  me  in  abuse  of  you  I  shall  consider  it  as  the 
strongest  evidence  of  my  influence  over  her. 

I  heard  of  the  indisposition  of  your  Brother  soon  after 
his  arrival.  Tell  him  I  ardently  wish  his  recovery,  and 
therefore  recommend  him  to  the  healthy  climate  and  tender 
care  of  Connecticut.  Your  eternal  watchings  will  wear 
him  out.  Or  has  he  like  the  rest  of  the  family  learned  to 
live  without  sleeping?  I  tell  Hetty  that  she  may  with 
very  little  trouble  become  immortal,  for  she  neither  eats, 
drinks,  nor  sleeps.  In  haste,  I  am  your  friend  and  Obt 
Servt., 

E.  HASKELL. 

Freeman  says  you  are  a  promising  young  man.  He  will 
be  married  soon  to  Mrs.  Brown.  She  is  not  worth  much 
money,  and  has  a  daughter  16  or  17  years  old. 


FROM  SCHENCK  AND  VAN  BUREN. 

MILLSTON,  22  October,  1787. 
Sir: 

Inclosed  you  have  the  letter  written  by  Mr.  John  Duy- 
ckinck,  which  our  A.  VanBuren  informed  you  he  left.  We 
shall  this  day  call  on  Mr.  Duyckinck;  shou'd  we  agree 
with  regard  to  the  price  and  the  payments  to  be  made  to 
him,  will  inform  you  imediately  -  -  tho'  it  is  very  probably 
we  may  not,  unless  he  makes  a  considerable  abatement,  as 
their  has  been  a  misunderstanding  in  the  Business.  We 
are,  Sir,  your  H'ble  Servants, 

SCHENCK  and  VAN  BUREN. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        349 

FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN. 
Dear  Webb :  BOSTON,  9  October,  1787. 

By  Major  Sargent  have  sent  your  Buckles,  executed  in 
my  Opinion  with  taste.  I  hope  they  will  find  favor  in  your 
sight. 

Inclos'd  you  have  the  Bill  of  them,  and  I  shall  thank 
you  to  send  me  in  return  three  Hd.  of  Fishes,  such  as  you 
informed  might  be  bought  for  four  Dollars,  genuine  pearl. 

The  remainder  you'll  please  to  invest  in  silk  stockings, 
if  they  can  be  bot  of  the  first  Quality  for  is/  L[awful] 
M[one]y  per  pair  large  size.  As  to  the  taste  of  them,  in 
recommending  them  to  your  good  Opinion  I  know  I  shall 
be  fully  satisfied. 

I  cou'd  not  come  to  BarrelPs  the  night  before  you  left 
Town;  the  Genl.  did  not  leave  me  till  after  12  o'clock. 

My  best  Love,  Compts.,  &c.,  attend  you  ever,  but  I  am 
in  great  haste,  tho'  with  equal  sincerity  your  Friend,  &c., 

JONA.  FREEMAN. 

You'll  please  to  send  me  the  Pearl  Fishes  and  by  Barnard. 


FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN. 
Dear  Webb:  BOSTON,  roth  October,  1787. 

I  sent  Letters  by  Major  Sargent  for  you  and  Jack 
Tuesday  last,  but  his  delay  gives  me  an  Oppto.  to  renew 
my  wish  that  the  Buckles  may  please  you.  They  were 
made  as  you  desir'd,  one  stud  smaller  each  way.  If  any 
Friend  wishes  a  pattern  to  make  a  pair  like  yours,  please 
to  refer  them  to  the  maker.  By  a  similar  answer  I  have 
preserv'd  the  pattern  almost  to  myself  these  five  years. 


35O  FAMILY     LETTERS 

You  wont  forget  the  Fishes  by  Barnard,  and  the  Bala. 
with  a  small  sum  which  perhaps  Jack  may  have  of  mine, 
you  will  do  me  a  particular  favor  to  invest  in  Table  Cloths 
and  towels,  half  of  each  for  common  use;  the  Table  cloths 
to  be  at  about  12 /  or  157  our  money,  and  Towels  as  cheap 
as  you  can  get  them,  common  napkins,  the  Table  Cloths 
to  be  two  yds  square. 

These  articles  pay  15  p.  C.  Impost  here,  and  are  con 
sequently  very  dear.  In  haste,  with  Friendship,  yours, 

JON.  FREEMAN. 

I  would  not  trouble  you  with  such  a  petty  Memo.,  but 
I  know  not  (if  Jack  gets  five  or  six  Guineas  for  my  watch 
as  he  intends)  how  to  get  the  proceeds  back. 


FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL. 

BOSTON,  nth  October,  1787. 
Dear  Sam: 

I  hav'nt  heard  whether  you  died  on  the  journey,  or 
arrived  safe  at  New  York.  Let  me  be  informed  if  you  are 
yet  alive.  The  Newton  Pippens,  large  fine  and  pickt  by 
hand,  two  barrils;  the  Hudson  Strawberries,  send  as  many 
as  you  can,  and  as  soon  as  you  please.  The  Medals,  the 
Medals!  Alas,  I  havn't  it  in  my  power  to  send  by  this 
oppt.,  as  I've  had  a  New  one  made  for  the  one  that  sunk 
in,  and  just  as  it  was  finished  an  Accident  ruined  it.  An 
other  will  be  finished  tonight,  and  by  the  next  oppt.  you 
shall  have  them.1  Will  you  enquire  of  Mr.  Murray  what 

1  Probably  one  of  the  medals  sent  out  by  Barrell  and  his  associates 
with  the  ships  Columbia  and  Washington  to  Nootka  Sound  and  the 
Sandwich  Islands. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB  35! 

is  done  about  Gearey's  Matters,  and  what  is  yet  necessary 
to  be  done. 

Tell  Aunt  Polly  I  never  expect  to  see  her,  and  if  I  don't 
I  shall  be  mortified.  Sally  and  Hetty  are  both  pretty  well, 
as  are  my  little  ones.  Adieu. 

Your  Friend  and  Brother, 

Jos.  BARRELL. 

Addressed:    Saml.  B.  Webb,  New  York.     Per  Major  Sargent. 


FROM  AUGUSTUS  VAN  CORTLANDT. 

LOWER  YONKERS,  Nov.  29th,  1787. 
My  Dear  General: 

I  shall  esteem  it  a  favor  to  have  a  setlement  of  Mr.  Banck- 
er's  bond.  I  think  last  month  was  fourteen  years  since 
the  Same  was  given,  and  only  one  year's  Interest  paid. 
Something,  therefore,  must  soon  be  done,  as  I  don't  wish 
others  to  have  the  preference,  by  pursueing  such  measures 
as  I  do  not  by  any  means  wish  to  take.  If  my  information 
be  true,  Ths.  Marston1  intends  soon  to  sue  for  principal 
and  interest,  and  I  see  nothing  to  prevent  recovering  both, 
the  time  of  payment  or  tendring  security,  mentioned  in  the 
3d.  proviso  of  an  act  of  the  Legislature  passed  the  last 
Session,  being  six  months  from  the  passing  of  said  act, 
expired  the  2Oth  of  October  now  last  past.  He,  as  well  as 
myself,  are  now  on  a  footing  with  those  who  were  out  of 
the  lines,  or  as  if  no  act  had  ever  passed  relative  to  debts 
due  to  persons  within  the  enemy's  lines.  Should  Mr. 
Marston  nevertheless  proceed,  you  will  still  have  it  in  your 

1  Thomas  Marston  was  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Mary  (Crook)  Mar 
ston.  He  married  Amelia  Lispenard,  and  died  in  1814. 


352  FAMILY     LETTERS 

power  to  give  me  the  preference,  or  put  me  in  a  situation 
with  him  by  enabling  me  to  obtain  a  Judgment  by  Con 
fession.  I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  on  the  subject; 
in  the  interim  I  remain  with  much  respect.  Your  most 
obedt.  Servt., 

AUGUST  VAN  CoRTLANDT.1 

Addressed:   General  Webb.    Favor'd  by  Mr.  White 


FROM  THOMAS  SMITH. 
Sir: 

Mr.  John  R.  Myer  has  put  into  my  hands  a  Bond  against 
the  Estate  of  Mr.  Rich'd  Bancker,  in  order  to  prosecute  for 
the  Money  Due  thereon.  As  I  understand  you  are  the 
Representative  to  that  Estate,  he  has  requested  me  to  call 
upon  you  to  Discharge  the  Debt,  which  he  says  you  En 
gaged  to  do  some  time  ago.  I  beg  your  answer  and  am 
your  most  Obt.  and  very  Humble  Servt., 

THOS.  SMITH. 


FROM  JOSEPH  BARRELL. 

BOSTON,  8th  December,  1787. 
Dear  Sam: 

By  the  last  post  I  inclosed  you  my  Acct  against  Capt. 
Green,  and  I  hope  ere  this  reaches  you  you  will  have  setled 
it  with  him  and  have  received  the  money,  which  I  shall  be 
very  glad  to  hear;  for  such  has  been  my  want  of  that  root 
of  evil,  that  I've  been  obliged  to  dispose  of  all  my  Bridge 
Stock  which  I  should  not  on  any  terms,  but  the  want 
thereof  have  consented  to. 

1  A  brother  of  Anne,  wife  of  Augustus  Van  Home. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        353 

I  have  this  day  drawn  on  you  in  favr.  Mr.  Cromerias 
333i  Dollars  at  five  days,  but  I  wish  you  to  pay  on 
sight.  I  put  the  five  days  in  case  he  should  want  the  hard 
[money]  to  get  it  in;  and  if  he  does  demand  specie,  pay  it 
him,  tho'  I  hope  the  person  he  sends  it  to  may  like  the  Cur 
rency  better.  As  I  wrote  you  in  my  last  to  purchaise  finals, 
if  you  have  done  it,  dispose  of  them  again  enough  to  raise 
this  sum,  or  if  you  could  not  readily  do  that,  you  may  re 
draw  on  me  at  3  days,  and  I  will  pay  it,  tho'  I  do  not  sup 
pose  you  have  invested  the  money  yet.  I  observe  there  is 
some  Ordinance  of  Congress  respecting  the  payment  of 
the  prize  money  of  the  ship  Alliance.1  I  wish  you  would 
inquire  into  the  matter,  and  lay  in  a  claim  in  my  behalf 
for  what  is  coming  to  my  Negro,  who  went  by  the  name  of 
Jube  Blodget,  the  same  person  who  had  given  a  power  to 
some  person  which  you  informed  me  some  time  ago;  there 
fore  I  wish  you  to  see  immediately  about  the  matter,  and 
prevent  my  losing  everything  by  the  Rascal.  We  are  all 
pretty  well.  Hetty  and  Sally  join  in  love  to  you  and  Aunt 
Polly.  Why  will  you  not  do  the  needful  respecting  Murray 
in  Gearey's  matters. 

I  am,  Dr.  Sam,  Your  friend  and  brother, 

JOSEPH  BARRELL. 

If  you  will  let  a  Silver  smith  file  and  polish  the  edges  of 
your  Medal  and  have  it  properly  cleaned,  it  will  look  better 
than  the  Silver  one. 

Addressed:   Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York.    Pr.  Post.2 


1  See  Journals  of  the  Continental  Congress ,  October  1 1,  1787. 

2  The  postage  was  one  shilling  ten  pence. 


354  FAMILYLETTERS 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
Dear  Br: 

I  wonder  I  do  not  hear  from  you  on  my  Affairs.  I  ex 
pected  more  particulars.  What  do  you  mean  by  your 
hints  I  have  not  concluded  all  .the  Names  of  my  Creditors  ? 
Do  write  me  often,  as  I  am  on  the  rack  of  suspense.  Jack 
Webb  sailed  for  Georgia  the  2d  December.  I  think  he's 
had  a  fine  time.  I  have  much  to  say  but  this  Opp'ty 
will  not  permit.  Write  me  fully  per  the  return  of  this 
post.  Jack  Webb  went  away  in  good  spirits.  Give  my 
love  to  Sherry,  McEvers,  &c.  Call  on  them  often  for  a 
little  time  for  my  sake.  All  the  family  are  well. 
Adieu  Yr  Afft.  Br. 

Jos.  WEBB. 

[WETHERSFIELD,]  Deer.  loth,  1787. 

Addressed:   General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York. 


FROM  WINTHROP  SARGENT. 

26th  Jany.  1788,  BOSTON. 

This,  My  Dear  Webb,  is  the  3d  letter  I  have  wrote  you 
without  a  word  of  Reply.  My  last  was  by  the  way  of 
Providence  with  Six  Maps,  one  for  yourself,  one  for  Gen 
eral  Knox,  one  for  St.  John,  one  for  Capt.  Hutchins  and 
the  other  two  for  [Sebastian]  Bauman  and  Platt. 

I  intend  being  in  York  about  the  middle  or  2Oth  of  next 
month,  provided  I  have  reason  to  suppose  that  our  Gov 
ernor  will  be  there,  on  my  way  to  the  Western  Country, 
where  my  Dear  Fellow  I  wish  most  sincerely  you  would  go 
at  least  to  take  a  look  at  the  country,  and  if  you  have  not 
Business  to  engage  you  here  it  will  really  be  well  disposing 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        355 

of  yourself,  and  you  will  receive  more  satisfaction  than  at 
this  distance  you  may  promise  yourself. 

I  shall  stay  about  two  weeks  in  York,  and  should  like  to 
have  Lodgeings  near  you  that  we  might  visit  together,  &c., 
and  pass  our  Leisure  moments  in  social  friendly  chat. 
Look  out  for  me.  Adieu  and  believe  me  yours  affec 
tionately, 

W.  S. 

Remember  me  respectfully  at  the  Corner. 

Addressed:  Hon'ble  Gen'l  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York. 


FROM  RICHARD  NEAVE,  JUNIOR,  TO  MRS.  BANCKER. 

PHILADELPHIA,  18  February  1788. 
Madam: 

I  am  much  surpriz'd  that  you  have  not  favor'd  my 
Father  with  an  Answer  to  his  Letter  dated  the  3d  of  Decem 
ber,  1786,  which  he  wrote  concerning  the  Annuity  of  Mrs. 
Stables,  who  has  suffer'd  greatly  by  your  refusal  of  her 
Bills  and  not  complying  with  your  Engagement  of  keeping 
her  regularly  paid.  I  cannot  help  saying,  Madam,  that 
your  Conduct  in  this  Affair  has  been  most  Ungenerous  both 
to  her  and  my  Father,  as  you  have  never  made  her  one 
payment,  and  that  what  she  has  receiv'd  was  paid  by  him 
and  charg'd  to  your  late  Husband's  Acct.,  which  you  may 
see  by  referring  to  it.  I  shall  only  add  on  this  Subject 
that  I  expect  you  will  give  us  a  full  and  satisfactory  Answer 
to  this  matter  by  return  of  the  Bearer,  Mr.  Joseph  Carson. 

With  regard  to  your  late  Husband  acct.  with  Richd. 
Neave  &  Son,  the  Ballance  was  as  by  the  Acct.  transmitted 
him  £1636.  13.  2.  Sterling  on  the  3ist  Decemb.,  1774,  since 


356  FAMILY     LETTERS 

which  there  is  to  the  Credit  of  it  (agreeable  to  a  Note  you 
delivered  me  the  last  time  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you) 
£82.  6.  i  Sterling.  One  article  in  it  of  £3.  6.  o  Sterling  for 
Recording  Mrs.  Stables  Deed  we  cannot  allow,  as  she 
would  not  pay  it;  alledging  that  as  you  paid  no  part  of 
the  expence  of  drawing  the  Deed,  you  ought  not  to  make 
any  charge  for  recording  it,  being  generally  the  practise 
when  no  agreement  is  made  respecting  it,  that  the  cost  is 
divided  between  the  Parties.  You  will  find  that  the  above 
Ballance  is  nearly  all  due,  as  there  is  at  least  six  Months 
Interest  to  be  added  to  the  Acct.  to  the  time  when  Mr.  B. 
died. 

I  flatter  myself  you  will  not  think  me  unreasonable  after 
Thirteen  years  being  Elaps'd  that  I  now  ask  you  to  pay 
unto  my  Friend  aforesaid  a  few  Hundred  Pounds  towards 
Discharging  this  heavy  Debt,  particularly  as  you  cannot 
forget  the  cause  of  a  great  part  of  it  not  being  paid  before 
his  death;  for  I  well  remember  his  mentioning  it  to  me  with 
much  confusion  and  regret.  I  shall  hope  to  hear  on  Mr. 
Carson's  return  that  you  have  complied  with  my  request, 
and  remain  with  respect,  Madam,  Your  most  obedt.  Servt., 

RICHD.  NEAVE,  JUNIOR. 

Addressed:  Mrs.  Bancker,  widow  of  Mr.  Richard  Bancker  Deceas'd, 
living  formerly  in  Hanover  Square,  New  York:  Honor'd  by  Mr.  Carson. 


FROM  WINTHROP  SARGENT. 

I  thank  you,  my  Dear  Webb,  for  your  polite  friendly  and 
affectionate  Favor,  and  shall  (be  assured)  call  on  you  upon 
the  first  moment  of  my  arrival.  It  will  not  be  so  soon  as 
I  had  intended,  as  I  am  under  the  Necessity  of  attending 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        3J7 

the  Ohio  Meeting  in  Providence  the  first  Wednesday  of 
March;  from  which  place  I  will  begin  my  Journey  so  that 
you  may  expect  me  very  soon  after  we  have  finished  our 
Business  there,  if  the  River  be  open. 

I  hope  you  will  not  forget  to  promote  the  Interests  of 
our  Friend  C — t — r,  as  A — m — g  has  resigned.  I  know 
you  are  very  capable  of  it,  being  form'd  for  [torn]  as  well  as 
soft  persuasion.  Adieu,  and  believe  me  your  affectionate 

W.  SARGENT. 

I  find  amongst  my  Maps  one  with  Col.  Duer's  name  on  it, 
which  leads  me  to  suspect  I  omitted  sending  him  one  to 
your  care.  How  is  it? 

Wednesday,  2Oth  of  Feby.  [1788],  late  at  Night. 


FROM  SCHENCK  AND  VAN  BUREN. 

NORTH  BRANCH,  28th  February,  1788. 
Sir: 

Our  Ab.  Buren  called  at  your  lodgings  at  the  hour  ap 
pointed,  also  a  short  time  after,  but  did  not  find  you  in, 
and  being  obliged  to  leave  Town  the  next  morning.  [We] 
are  disappointed  the  Business  was  not  arranged  in  order  to 
obtain  a  Deed.  Wou'd  request  you  to  send  us  a  statement 
of  the  Acct.,  that  we  may  ascertain  the  Balance  due  you 
per  return  of  Capt.  Voorhees. 

We  wish  you  to  put  the  necessary  papers  in  the  hands  of 
Wm.  Patterson,  Esq.,  to  enable  him  to  draw  us  a  Deed  and 
finally  settle  the  Business;  hope  you  will  not  subject  us  to 
any  delay. 

We  cannot  think  of  paying  any  advance  on  the  New  York 


FAMILY     LETTERS 

money,  as  our  express  agreement  was  that  the  payments 
shou'd  be  made  in  the  paper  currency  of  New  York, which 
you  agreed  to.  As  soon  as  we  receive  the  Deed  shall  give 
you  a  draft  on  Messrs.  Rynean  &  John  Suydam,  at  a  short 
run,  for  the  Balance.  We  are  your  Humble  Servants, 

SCHENCK  &  VAN  BUREN. 

Addressed:    Samuel  B.  Webb,  Esquire. 


FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN,  JUNIOR. 

BOSTON,  6th  March,  '88. 
Dear  Webb: 

I  want  your  kind  assistance  to  procure  Sea  letters  for  the 
Brigt.  Yorick,  Jonathan  Caines,  master,  own'd  by  William 
Vans,  Junior,  of  Salem,  bound  to  any  part  of  India. 

My  Friend  Vans  and  I  are  speculating  in  a  Voyage,  and 
as  my  name  cannot  assist  him  in  disposing  of  his  cargo,  and 
it  may  induce  a  large  addition  to  my  Taxes  (which  are, 
God  knows,  large  eno'  already)  I  am  not  known  in  the 
matter,  and  beg  you  not  to  mention  my  name  in  the  Affair. 
Mr.  Vans  will  himself  be  the  Bearer  of  these  Letters,  and 
if  you  can  in  your  large  Circle  of  Connections  and  acquaint 
ance  procure  any  other  Letters  of  an  introductory  kind, 
such  as  will  be  of  service  in  the  voyage,  I  will  esteem  it  as  a 
particular  favor.  I  know  your  Intrest  with  all  the  great 
men,  and  you  know  how  safely  you  may  confide  in  any 
recommendations  you  give  Mr.  Vans.  'Tis  our  inten 
tion  that  the  Brigt.  shou'd  go  to  almost  every  part  of 
India,  and  from  that  circumstance  she  will  most  probably 
be  gone  three  years  with  a  very  respectable  property,  and 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        359 

as  Mr.  Vans  is  already  well  acquainted  in  China  and  some 
other  parts  of  India  where  he  has  been,  we  are  in  hopes  to 
make  some  profitable  Negotiations,  and  establish  a  house 
respectable  there  and  here.  Nothing  you  know  has  this 
Effect  better  than  the  recommendation  of  publick  officers. 

The  Vessell  will  sail  in  all  this  month,  or  at  farthest 
1st  April;  her  Cargo  is  only  to  take  in. 

Your  kind   and   speedy  attention  therefore  will  be  of 
great  consequence  to,  Dear  Webb,  your  friend,  &c. 

JONA.  FREEMAN,  JUNIOR. 


FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN,  JUNIOR. 

BOSTON,  23rd  March,  '88. 
Dear  Webb: 

In  my  last  to  you  requesting  Sea  Letters,  &c.,  I  forgot  to 
mention  Letters  in  particular  to  Coll.  Fleury  l  at  Isle  de 
France.  From  your  personal  acquaintance  I  presume  you 
will  write  it,  and  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  say  to  Gen.  Knox 
that  the  Mr.  Vans,  who  brought  him  Letters  from  Colo. 
Fleury  last  summer,  is  bound  to  the  same  port;  if  he  has 
any,  will  be  proud  to  take  them. 

I  know  how  influential  your  request  may  be,  and  will  be 
exceedingly  oblig'd  to  you  for  the  trouble  you  take  in  pro 
curing  what  I  wish;  and  I  hope  I  need  not  assure  you 
how  much  you  may  command  any  return  that  will  be  in 
the  power  of  your  oblig'd  and  affect.  Friend  &  Humble 
Servt., 

JONA.  FREEMAN,  JUNIOR. 

1  Francois  Louis  de  Fleury,  who  rendered  good  service  to  the  United 
States  in  the  Revolution. 


360  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  SAMUEL  HODGDON. 

NEW  YORK,  3d  April,  1788. 
Sir: 

At  your  request  I  relate  the  following  conversation  be 
tween  me  and  Mr.  Morriss  at  General  Knox's  yesterday. 
Mr.  Morriss  asked  me  whether  I  recollected  receiving  a 
Letter  containing  a  Number  of  Certificates,  which  was 
forwarded  by  him  from  you.  Whether  any  part  of  them 
was  your  property,  and  whether  I  had  advised  you  of  the 
receipt  of  them  previous  to  my  answer  to  his  address. 

To  which  I  replied  that  I  did  receive  the  Letter  with  all 
the  Certificates  which  it  ever  contained;  that  I  had  no 
knowledge  of  your  having  any  interest  in  them,  they  being 
sent  from  Mr.  Joseph  Barrell  for  similar  purposes  with 
many  that  I  had  previously  received;  that  being  from  the 
proper  documents  I  could  not  positively  determine  whether 
I  had  advised  you  of  their  arrival  previous  to  his  Letter  to 
me;  but  that  my  usual  mode  of  doing  business  embold 
ened  me  to  say  that  if  any  answer  was  necessary,  it  was 
immediately  given.  These  I  think  are  all  the  facts  that  I 
enumerated  relative  to  the  letter  or  business,  and  is  all 
that  I  know  about  it.  I  am,  Sir,  Your  Most  Obedient 
Servant, 

SAMUEL  HODGDON. 

Postscript.  From  circumstances  produced  from  memory 
I  believe  the  Letter  of  the  27th  of  April  was  the  first  I  wrote 
to  you  on  the  business. 

The  letter  aluded  to  I  found  on  my  Table,  being  brought 
there  when  I  was  absent.  The  bearer  of  it  I  never  knew. 

SAMUEL  HODGDON. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEY   WEBB  361 

FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN,  JUNIOR. 

BOSTON,  ijth  April,  1788. 
Dear  Webb: 

Yours  of  30th  March  and  6th  April  found  me  confin'd  to 
my  Bed.  The  former  induc'd  me  to  retain  the  Vessell 
(which  was  then  waiting  and  had  been  for  a  week  for  nothing 
else  but  those  letters)  till  the  following  Thursday,  when 
she  put  to  sea,  and  I  hope  is  now  well  on  her  voyage. 

I  hoped  to  send  them  this  day  to  Mr.  Vans  by  a  vessell 
which  sailed  to  the  same  port,  but  she  is  gone,  and  I  have 
no  hope  of  forwarding  the  letters  now  if  I  shou'd  obtain 
them.  Add  to  which  it  is  Sunday,  and  no  deposition  or 
affidavit  cou'd  be  taken,  and  to  complete  all,  I  am  now 
lifted  out  of  Bed  and  wrap't  in  a  Blanket  without  any 
other  covering,  whilst  I  write  this  imperfect  scroll,  to 
thank  you  for  your  trouble  and  assure  you  I  am  sincerely 
yours, 

JONA.  FREEMAN,  JUNIOR. 


FROM  HENRY  IZARD. 

SAVANNAH,  26th  April,  1788. 
Dear  Webb: 

As  I  am  told  a  vessel  sails  for  Philadelphia  tomorrow 
morning,  I  take  that  opportunity  of  informing  you  of  our 
safe  arrival  after  a  passage  of  three  weeks.  I  have  not 
yet  had  time  to  deliver  your  letters,  but  you  may  depend 
upon  it  I  shall  make  it  my  particular  business  to  wait  upon 
Mr.  Seagrove  tomorrow.  Your  brother  is  out  of  town. 
The  tediousness  of  my  passage  will  prevent  my  making  any 
stay  here,  and  you  may  expect  me  in  New  York  by  the 


362  FAMILY     LETTERS 

middle  of  May,  and  even  till  then  appears  almost  an  age. 
You  know  what  a  powerful  Magnet  attracts  me  there.  I 
find  that  I  am  absolutely  in  love.  You  will  hardly  be  able 
to  read  this  scroll,  but  the  hurry  of  a  public  house  in  which 
I  have  not  been  above  half  an  hour,  must  plead  my  excuse. 
Adieu,  believe  me  to  be  with  the  utmost  regard,  Your  most 
sincere  friend,  HENRY  IzARD.1 


FROM  JONATHAN  FREEMAN,  JUNIOR. 

BOSTON,  nth  May,  1788. 
Dear  Webb: 

I  wrote  last  month  in  haste,  being  then  under  a  Disagree 
able  confinement,  but  as  I  am  much  better  at  present,  I 
take  the  earliest  oppt.  to  thank  you  more  particularly  for 
your  kind  favors,  with  a  cordiall  wish  that  I  may  have  it 
in  my  power  to  return  your  kindness. 

The  Brigt.  Yorick  had  that  name  alter'd  to  the  Cadet 
and  her  head  with  an  Officer  of  our  Company  in  complete 
uniform.  This  Mr.  Vans  was  polite  eno'  to  get  accom 
plished  without  my  knowledge,  so  that  if  you  had  obtain'd 
Letters  for  the  Yorick  they  would  have  been  useless.  I 
have  to  request  the  favor  of  you  to  send  all  the  Letters  of 
Civility  you  was  so  kind  as  to  offer,,  particularly  those  to 
Colo.  Fleury,  by  any  Vessell  from  your  ports  to  the  Isle  of 
France  for  Mr.  William  Vans,  Junior,  under  cover  to 
Messrs.  Jno.  Monson  &  Co.  Merchants  at  Bourbon;  or  if 
no  Oppo.  from  your  port,  will  thank  you  to  send  them  to  me, 
as  in  the  course  of  next  month  I  can  send  them.  If  you 

1  Son  of  Ralph  Izard,  of  South  Carolina.  His  mother  was  Alice, 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  De  Lancey,  of  Westchester  County, 
and  granddaughter  of  Cadwallader  Colden. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB          363 

have  no  chance  before,  you  will  do  me  essential  service  by 
this  transaction. 

The  Vessell  having  sail'd  as  I  wrote  you  before  your  last 
came  to  hand,  I  coud  not  obtain  an  affidavit  from  the  Capt. 
or  Mr.  Vans  who  is  ostensibly  owner,  but  I  can  get  a  copy 
of  their  oaths  to  the  Naval  Officer  where  the  register  was 
taken  from,  and  the  Naval  Officer's  attestation,  which  if  it 
will  answer,  I  will  forward  to  you  instantly  on  receipt  of  the 
information.  I  hear  with  extreme  concern  that  Mr.  Jay's 
life  is  in  danger.  The  loss  of  so  good  a  man  as  I  heard  him 
represented  to  be,  and  so  able  a  one  as  his  writings  demon 
strate  him  to  be,  must  affect  the  publick  most  sensibly.  I 
know  how  valuable  such  men  are  in  society  by  their  scarcity. 
I  hope  to  hear  soon  your  State  have  rear'd  another  pillar 
to  support  the  grand  Building  of  Federal  happiness.  We 
want  only  good  System  to  make  us  an  envie'd  Nation. 

Dear  Webb,  let  me  hear  from  you  soon,  and  believe  me 
ever  sincerely,  Your  friend  and  Humbl  Servant, 

JONATHAN  FREEMAN,  JUNIOR. 

Do  write  me  if  you  have  heard  from  Jack  latterly,  and 
what  he  is  about,  &c. 


FROM  THOMAS  LAWRENCE. 

MORRIS  VALE,  25th  May,  1788. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

Permit  me  to  take  the  liberty  of  reminding  you  of  your 
friendly  and  polite  offer  of  procuring  a  Barrel  of  Shad  for 
me  from  your  Brother.  I  mentioned  to  Mrs.  Lawrence  the 
treat  which  you  frequently  gave  me  of  them  at  your  social 
Breakfast  Table,  and  we  are  anticipating  with  pleasure  a 
repast  of  the  same  kind  this  summer.  I  know  your  punctu- 


364  FAMILY     LETTERS 

ality  and  politeness,  and  I  should  not  have  taken  the  Liberty 
of  reminding  you  of  your  promise  on  this  occasion,  but 
from  the  knowledge  that  your  attention  is  a  little  more 
circumscribed  by  a  favorite  object. 

I  shall  send  my  waggon  to  New  Windsor  the  latter  end 
of  next  week,  when  you  will  oblige  me  by  sending  it  there, 
so  that  I  may  bring  it  from  thence  by  that  conveyance. 

Mrs.  Lawrence  joins  me  in  Compliments  to  you  and  be 
lieve  me,  Sir,  with  sincerity,  Yr.  Frd.  and  Hum.  Servt., 

THO.  LAWRENCE. 

Direct  the  Shad  for  me  at  Morris  Vale  in  Sussex,  to  the 
care  of  Mr.  Wm.  Ellison  at  N.  Windsor,  and  send  it  by  the 
N.  Windsor  Packet  that  comes  every  week  from  N.  York. 

Addressed :  General  Webb,  Broadway,  N.  York.    W.  W.  Morris,  Esq. 


FROM  JOHN  COZINE. 
Dear  Sir: 

My  old  Friend  Mr.  Cortlandt  informs  me,  that  he  wrote 
to  you  some  time  ago  respecting  a  Demand  that  he  has 
against  the  Estate  of  the  late  Richd.  Bancker.  He  is 
anxious  to  have  it  settled  in  some  way  or  other,  and  will  be 
content  if  you  cannot  conveniently  raise  the  money  to  take 
your  Bond  and  Mortgage.  This  he  expects  you  will  comply 
with.  Please,  Sir,  to  let  me  know  your  Resolution  on  this 
subject,  as  soon  as  possible,  that  I  may  acquaint  Mr. 
Cortlandt  therewith.  I  am  with  Respect  your  very  hum 
ble  Servt,  JNO.  COZINE. 1 

June  17,  1788. 

1  Son  of  Balm  Johnson  Cozine  "of  the  Out  Ward  of  the  city  of  New 
York,"  on  the  Bloomingdale  road. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEY   WEBB  365 

FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON. 

MANOR  LIVINGSTON,  June  28,  1788. 
Dear  Webb: 

From  the  late  rains  Mr.  P.  Has  been  detained  at  the 
Manor  till  this  day,  and  now  the  roads  will  detain  us  some 
what  longer;  for  which  reason  I  shall  be  prevented  attend 
ing  the  meeting  of  the  Honorable  Order  of  the  Cincinnati, 
as  I  must  attend  them  to  Lake  George  for  perhaps  the  last 
time  of  our  meeting;  but  shall  be  with  you  as  soon  as  possi 
ble  after  my  return,  when  I  expect  you  will  be  able  to  re 
turn  with  me  in  the  new  chair  that  I  am  to  exchange  for 
my  old  one.  See  to  this.  Give  my  love  to  Mrs.  Coventry 
and  Betsy.  Tell  them  I  long  to  see  them.  Adieu.  Yours 
sincerely, 

HENRY  LIVINGSTON. 

Addressed:  To  Brigadier  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Broadway, 
New  York. 


FROM  BENJAMIN  CROOFOOT.1 

PALMERTOWN,  July  2ist,  1788. 
Sir: 

I  have  Entred  upon  the  Lot  of  which  your  honour  gave 
me  a  writen  for,  and  have  not  as  yet  Payed  you  your  Rent, 
but  that  was  oweing  to  my  having  had  a  Long  fit  of  sick 
ness.  But  Sir  you  need  not  bee  unasey  a  bout  it  for  I  will 
pay  you  soon  after  harvest.  Mr.  Palmer  sent  me  word  that 
he  had  orders  to  Renter  on  the  place  which  will  bee  a  grate 
Damage  to  mee  Sir  I  will  pay  you  your  Rent  yerly  and  had 
payed  you  be  fore  now  had  I  been  well.  Sir  I  expected  to 

1  A  tenant  on  the  Kayaderossares  tract. 


366  FAMILY     LETTERS 

seen  your  honour  heer  beef  ore  now  to  have  given  mee  a 
Lease  and  pray  Sir  send  mee  word  wht  you  in  tend  to  do  as 
soon  as  Posebell  and  so  confideing  in  your  Goodness  I  sub 
scribe  My  self  your  honours  varry  humbel  sarvent, 

BENJ.  CROOFOOT. 

Addressed:  To  Ga'll  Sam'll  B.  Webb.    New  York  thes  with  care. 


FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON. 

MANOR  LIVINGSTON,  August  n,  1788. 
Dear  General: 

A  few  days  since  on  my  way  to  Salisbury  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  receiving  your  letter  of  the  3rd  instant,  which 
is  the  only  one  I  have  received  from  you  and  from  which 
letter  I  am  induced  to  believe  that  you  did  not  receive  mine 
of  the  29th  June. 

Not  hearing  from  you  I  was  under  the  necessity  of  get 
ting  my  chair  repaired  at  Albany.  I  have  had  an  apron 
made,  a  new  carpet  put  in,  and  several  other  repairs  done 
to  it  which  cost  me  £5.  10.,  so  that  my  chair  is  now  as  good 
as  new;  but  notwithstanding  that  I  will  send  it  down  by 
the  first  sloop  which  sails  from  this  quarter,  and  I  think 
in  the  exchange  I  ought  to  be  allowed  for  the  late  repairs, 
at  least  for  the  new  apron,  which  was  not  put  to  the  chair 
when  I  bought  it  from  Manley  -  -  that  is  5  5  /.  But  he  ought 
to  consider  of  all  the  repairs  I  have  done  to  it.  I  will  give 
him  a  reasonable  odds,  which  odds  you  shall  be  the  judge  of, 
provided  the  chair  has  been  painted  and  varnished  by  Mr. 
Barrow  in  Broad  street,  and  it  is  in  the  form  of  a  tub  bot 
tom,  and  as  genteel  a  one  as  he  could  make,  and  he  will 
take  refined  Bar  Iron  for  pay,  which  I  will  send  down  as 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        367 

soon  I  know  the  amount  of  the  odds  which  I  am  to  give. 
But  money  I  have  none,  neither  can  I  take  it  if  money  is 
required.  You  will  pardon  me  my  dear  friend  for  giving 
you  this  trouble,  and  I  shall  consider  this  obligation  as  a 
marked  renewal  of  your  kindness. 

Our  sloop  is  now  down,  and  if  my  chair  comes  down  in 
time  I  wish  you  to  send  the  new  one  up  with  her;  if  not  in 
time  send  it  by  the  sloop  which  brings  mine  down,  and 
send  the  watch.  I  cannot  come  till  fall;  our  furnace  keeps 
me  employed.  Would  to  God  I  could  prevail  on  you  to 
come  up  and  pass  some  time  with  me.  Give  my  most 
sincere  love  to  Mrs.  Qoventry]  and  Betsey,  whom  I  beg 
you  will  kindly  remember  me  too.  I  thank  you  for  the 
respect  and  your  kind  wishes  for  my  father;  he  desires 
his  best  respects  to  you  and  Mr.  Coventry's  family.  I  am, 
Dr.  Webb,  Your  friend  and  Hbl.  Servt., 

HENRY  LIVINGSTON. 

Addressed:   To  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Broadway,  New  York. 


FROM  GULIAN  VERPLANCK. 

Monday  Morning,  [New  York,  August  18,  1788.] 
Dear  Sir: 

I  was  last  week  at  Brunswick,  and  enquired  of  Mr. 
[William]  Patterson  respecting  the  Business  with  Messrs. 
Schenck  and  Van  Buren.  He  informed  me  that  the  Con 
veyance  to  them  as  Administrators  would  not  be  sufficient, 
and  therefore  wished  for  a  statement  of  the  Title,  the  partic 
ulars  of  which  he  has  forgot,  but  remarks  that  they  were 
satisfactory  to  Him  at  the  time  of  executing  the  Mortgage. 
For  your  better  satisfaction  I  wish  you  could  make  it  con- 


368  FAMILY     LETTERS 

venient  to  see  Mr.  Patterson,  or  at  least  make  application 
to  Him.     I  am,  Sir,  with  Esteem  Your  Humb.  Servt., 

G.  VERPLANCK. 


FROM  WILLIAM  WILLEMENT. 

Mr.  Willement  presents  his  most  respectfull  Compli 
ments  to  General  Webb  and  requests  he  will  indulge  him 
with  the  use  of  a  fowling  piece,  powderhorn,  &c.,  for  to 
morrow.  The  bearer  will  take  charge  of  them.  Mr.  W. 
recollects  with  pleasure  and  with  thanks  the  polite  offer 
he  received  from  General  W.  when  he  lived  under  the 
same  Roof  with  him,  and  is  thereby  encouraged  to  this 
application. 

HANOVER  SQUARE,  Sep.  10,  1788. 


FROM  JOHN  CLARKE. 

BOSTON,  I  October,  1788. 
Dear  Sir: 

Knowing  your  politeness  I  take  the  liberty  to  request 
your  attention  to  the  bearer  of  this  letter,  Mr.  Noyes.  He 
is  a  very  modest  but  very  worthy  man.  He  is  on  his  way 
to  Charleston,  where  he  resided  before  the  war.  If  you 
will  show  him  your  city,  and  give  him  any  necessary  infor 
mation,  the  favour  will  be  ever  gratefully  acknowledged  by, 
Sir,  Your  Humb.  Servt. 

JOHN  CLARKE. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  Webb,  New  York.  Hon'd  by  Mr. 
Noyes. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEY   WEBB  369 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

My  Dear  Brother: 

I  was  happy  to  hear  accidentally,  not  by  your  letter, 
that  you  had  arrived  safe  to  New  York.  I  was  in  hopes 
to  have  been  favored  with  a  line  before  this,  but  I  can  wait 
no  longer.  I  must  write  you  and  thank  you  for  all  your 
late  attention  to  my  Affairs.  I  hope  I  shall  do  the  needful 
in  due  season  to  answer  the  expectation  of  my  friends. 

I  wish  to  let  you  know  my  Eyes  are  better.  I  continue 
using  Mr.  Post's  means.  Let  Livingston  send  to  David 
Osborn  for  the  Note  as  by  the  Accts.  I  delivd  Osborn, 
unless  you  are  willing  to  take  the  Note  of  Osborn's.  Do 
as  you  think  best.  Write  me  per  the  first  oppty.  Stephen 
Chester  has  not  yet  moved  to  his  house.  Jemmy  McEvers 
has  recov'd  1200  L[awful]  M[one]y,  or  i6oo£  York  of 
Thos.  Seymour.  He  has  calPd  on  me.  I  have  conversed 
with  him  and  shew'd  him  the  Rect.  He  says  He  will  not 
allow  it,  because  it  was  given  before  the  Death  of  his 
father  and  we  had  no  right  to  pay  Charles.  This  will  not 
do  for  him;  besides  if  it  would,  I  think  it  would  be  un 
generous.  Let  me  beg  you  the  very  day  or  next  morn 
ing  after  to  wait  on  Jemmy  and  examine  the  first  entry  of 
Charles'  Book  and  his  father's.  The  Rect.  is  dated  June, 
1768,  for  £100  on  Charles,  and  Seventy  pounds  on  his 
Brother  Jemmy,  which  sum  has  never  been  allowed. 
Therefore,  altho  Charles  is  no  body,  yet  the  Seventy 
pounds  and  Interest  must  now  be  allowed  me,  which  I 
hope  He  will  do  to  you  without  trouble.  Pray  attend  to 
collect  what  evidence  you  can  so  soon  as  you  receive  this. 
Write  me  fully.  Say  how  de  to  Platt,  the  Lottonions,1 

1  The  Lott  family. 


370  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Haskell,  and  accept  the  most  affectionate  and  sincere 
thanks  of  yr.  S[ister]  W[ebb]  for  the  flour.  She  is  quite 
anxious  that  she  said  so  little  to  you  about  it. 

So  soon  as  you  get  the  Money  of  Osborn  remember  the 
Ale  and  Corks  which  we  extremely  want,  but  not  to  your 
damage.  It  would  go  far  in  suppers.  I  have  collected 
some  good  wine,  spirits  and  Brandy.  When  do  you  think 
of  going  to  Boston.  It's  most  Heavenly  sleighing  with 
us. 

I  have  the  rest  of  Stern's  works  done  up  for  you,  but 
you  must  remember  the  needful.  I  am,  Dear  Br.,  Yrs 
Sincerely, 

J.  WEBB. 

WETHD.,  Jany.  nth,  1789. 


FROM  ABIGAIL  WEBB. 

My  Dear  Brother: 

Your  favour  of  the  i6th  I  this  day  received  by  the  hand 
of  my  Dear  Miss  Smith.  I  was  extremely  glad  to  see  her, 
and  promise  myself  great  pleasure  from  her  visit,  which  I 
shall  make  as  agreable  to  her  as  I  posibly  can.  I  thank 
you  for  the  short  but  friendly  letter,  and  will  attend  to  the 
contents.  Mr.  Webb  left  me  this  day  to  go  to  New  Haven. 
Shall  send  on  your  letter  by  the  stage  to  morrow.  All  my 
Brothers  belonging  to  Wethersfield  are  with  him,  so  that 
we  lead  a  still  life  at  present,  which  I  am  not  accustomed 
to  nor  fond  of.  Why  dont  we  hear  from  Major  Webb? 
I  am  impatient,  and  not  a  little  anxious.  I  need  not  re 
mind  you  what  pleasure  you  will  give  us  by  transmiting 
the  earliest  information  you  get  of  him.  I  shall  soon  write 
to  him  and  send  to  you  to  forward.  He  complain'd  of  all 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB  37! 

his  friends  when  he  was  last  absent,  that  we  neglected  him. 
The  flour  proved  excellent.  Accept  my  gratefull  thanks. 
I  bless  you  every  time  I  tast  of  it,  and  think  of  you  with 
affection  much  oftener.  Tell  Miss  D[uyckinck]  I  long  to 
see  her.  My  Love  to  her  and  to  Miss  Dunscomb.  Is  she 
restored  to  health  again?  Do  you  see  anything  of  Miss 
Moore  ?  I  can  write  no  more,  only  to  repeat  how  sincerely 
and  affectionately  I  am  your  friend  and  Sister, 

A.  WEBB. 

Sally  sits  by  me  begs  her  Love  may  be  sent  you. 
WETHERSFIELD  Jany.  2ist,  1789. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Jany.  26th,  1789. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  wrote  you  from  New  Haven  last  week;  then  I  had  not 
Reed,  your  last.  This  acknowledges  the  letter;  but  I 
have  not  time  to  answer  it  now,  only  to  tell  you  those  you 
call  my  Connecticut  friends  and  say  what  you  have  hinted 
are  by  no  means  friends.  I  realy  believe  I  shall  accom 
plish  what  I  have  engaged  with  ease. 

Perhaps  they  only  mean  the  extremely  difficult  time  of 
collecting  cash.  Belinda  is  well.  Smith  is  now  at  Boston. 
He  drove  on.  I  was  at  New  Haven.  I  have  much  to  say, 
but  cannot  now.  Remain  easy  that  nothing  in  my  power 
shall  be  wanting  to  do  the  needful.  (I  further  add  I  am 
not  well  pleas'd  with  Humphrey's  letter;  but  this  and  all 
other  things  must  remain  for  the  present.)  Believe  me, 
Dear  Brother,  Yr.  Most  afft.  Friend, 

J.  WEBB. 


372  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  will  thank  you  to  put  the  letter  for  Mrs.  Greene  on 
Board  the  first  vessel  for  Georgia;  or  if  none  going  soon, 
to  get  Mr.  Griffin  or  some  other  of  my  friends  to  Frank  it, 
and  put  in  the  Post  Office. 

I  intended  to  have  come  over  in  the  sleigh  this  evening, 
but  my  cold  makes  me  almost  sick.  Harriet  is  quite  un 
well.  I  wish  you  a  good  journey  and  am,  Dr.  Sir,  Yours, 

J.  WADSWORTH. 

Sunday  Evg.  [HARTFORD,  February  8,  1789.] 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHD.  Feby.  igth,  1789. 
Dear  Brother: 

Your's  of  the  i6th  inst.  lies  before  me.  I  am  sorry  Bell's 
letters  are  not  arrived.  She  is  anxious,  as  she  fears  her 
Mother  and  Family  will  be  on  her  Acct.  I  wish  you  would 
call  on  Doct.  Jones  for  me  and  get  a  Copy  of  Livingston's 
Demand.  Bailey's  I  have  not  yet  got.  Where  is  Brother 
Jack's  Evidences  from  Georgia  about  Simpson?  Unless  I 
hear  from  Him  and  you,  it  will  not  be  prudent  for  me  to 
try  the  affair.  Pray  did  I  thro  mistake  leave  any  of  my 
Papers  at  your  House  ?  I  cant  find  any  of  Oliver  Elsworth's 
Papers.  Do  the  needful  about  Sam  May,  as  I  am  about 
settling  with  him.  So  with  Jos.  Stillman.  As  to  Mr. 
McEvers,  he  must  allow  you  the  Rect.,  for  his  father  was 
ill  a  long  time  with  the  Consumption  during  that  time 
Charles  did  his  business.  Stephen  Chester  has  moved 
into  his  House  and  I  believe  does  to  satisfaction  in  his 
office.  I  hope  Burr  will  push  the  collecting  for  me.  I 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        373 

observe  what  you  say  about  Col.  Chester.  He's  now  at 
Norwich  with  his  wife.  Neither  He  or  Root  will  come  on. 
They  say  Sturgis  and  Wadsworth  belong  to  the  old  and  to 
the  new,  and  can  go  with  credit  and  not  be  disgraced.  I 
have  pusht  the  affair,  and  so  have  others.  Chester  be 
haved  well  (but  I  find  many  of  Chester's  friends  say  it's 
too  late;  it  looks  as  if  he  only  ment  to  show  himself.) 
About  the  necessary  preparation  of  the  old  from  P—  — ,  I 
am  anxious  to  have  enough  by  me  and  in  due  season.  Have 
you  got  your  Dictionary?  What  may  I  depend  on  if  you 
get  it?  Do  it  soon.  Aid  and  assist  me  for  a  little  while, 
and  I  trust  all  will  be  well.  Jo  Bull  came  in  and  Testified 
about  Beekman  as  you  did,  and  so  did  others.  The  Court 
behaved  well;  in  particular  T—  -  S—  — .-1  He  was  a  mind 
to  take  off  half.  He  said  He  knew  how  people  had  suffer'd. 
Adieu.  Adieu.  Yours  sincerely, 

Jos.  WEBB. 

Mrs.  W[ebb],  Bel  and  Lydia,  all  desire  to  be  rememd. 
They  are  drinkg.  Porter. 

I  thank  you  for  the  papers,  but  have  no  time  to  read. 
Bel  is  reading  off  them  as  tho  they  were  a  new  novel. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Broadway,  No.  25.  New 
York. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

Qth  March,  1789. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  have  to  tell  you  Simpson's  affair  is  continued  untill 
September.  I  fear  I  have  lost  a  good  oppty.,  as  Simpson 
cou'd  not  have  been  prepar'd;  but  as  you  and  Brother 

1  Thomas  Seymour? 


374  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Jack  was  both  absent,  I  consented  to  have  it  put  off.  But 
September  will  soon  be  here,  and  I  must  then  be  fully 
ready  to  fight  the  battle.  Capt.  Curtiss  got  home  Satur 
day  evening,  left  the  Sloop  at  Sachem's  head  in  port  of 
Gilford.  So  soon  as  the  river  opens  he  will  sail  for  the 
West  Indies.  I  hope  you  have  put  the  Ale  on  board  of 
him.  Curtiss  tells  me  you  was  busy  electioneering,  but 
can  tell  me  no  news.  Colo.  Chester  is  just  gone  from  here. 
He  was  disappointed  that  Curtiss  brot.  no  news  who  is 
President,  and  who  is  vice  president.  What  is  all  your 
bustle  about?  Pray  write  by  the  first  Boat  bound  to 
Georgia  some  good  advice  to  Brother  Jack.  Let  him  be 
cool  and  slow  to  anger.  He's  highly  vexed  with  Mrs. 
G[reene],  D[enny],  Wadsfworth  and]  Mill[er].  He  writes 
me  with  warmth  agst.  them.  The  Gent,  waitg. 

I  will  do  all  in  my  power  to  make  the  payment.     Stand 
by  yr.  affectionate 

WEBB. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York. 


To  DON  DIEGO  DE 

General  Webb  presents  his  most  respectful  compliments 
to  Don  Diego  de  Guardoqui,  informs  him  he  has  call'd 
three  times  this  afternoon  and  evening  in  hopes  of  seeing 
him.  Mr.  Guardoqui  being  from  home,  General  Webb 
begs  leave  to  inform  him  that  he  has  it  in  charge  from  a 
Committee  of  Congress  to  notify  him  that  the  Ceremonial 
of  the  formal  reception  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States  will  take  place  tomorrow  at  12  o'clock,  that  a  seat 

1  Diplomatic  representative  of  Spain  in  the  United  States. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        375 

is  provided  for  his  accommodation,  and  to  signify  to  him 
that  no  precedence  of  seats  is  intended,  and  that  no  salu 
tation  is  expected  from  him  on  his  entrance  into  or  depar 
ture  from  the  Senate  Chamber.  The  proceedings  of  the 
Committees  of  both  Houses  of  Congress  are  enclosed. 

General  Webb  begs  leave  to  inform  Mr.  Guardoqui  the 
business  was  not  completed  untill  past  3  o'clock  this  day, 
which  is  the  cause  of  his  not  receiving  earlier  notice. 

Wednesday  Even'g.  10  o'clock  29th  April,  1789. 

Endorsement:  Copy  of  a  note  to  Don  Diego  D.  Guardoqui  re 
specting  the  Inauguration  of  the  President  Geo.  Washington.  New 
York,  zgth  April,  1789. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

My  Dear  Brother: 

Why  do  you  neglect  writing  me?  Was  you  here  you 
would  pity  and  love  me.  Forsake  me  not  because  matters 
do  not  go  right  with  me.  Formerly  you  used  to  be  very 
attentive  and  acquainted  me  of  the  occurrences  that  passed 
within  your  knowledge  to  amuse,  divert  and  please  me. 
Now,  when  you  can  render  me  essential  service,  you  wholly 
neglect  me.  Have  you  the  feelings  for  me  that  I  have 
always  had  for  you  ?  Consider  and  love  me  still.  Let  me 
hear  what  is  passing  in  the  busy  world.  When  may  I  ex 
pect  Barrell  here?  I  wish  you  every  blessing  and  am  most 
sincerely  Yr  Afft  Br., 

Jos.  WEBB. 

WETHD.  May  3ist,  1789. 

Monsr.  St  John  pass'd  in  the  stage.  I  was  out  by  Ches 
ter's  house  and  saw  him  yesterday.  Must  I  notice  him? 


376  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Sally  Barrell,  Mrs.  W[ebb]  and  the  circle  desired  to  be 
remembered  to  you.  Bill  is  at  Colo.  Wadsworth's.  Was 
Smith  pleased  with  his  visit  at  Weathersfield?  Say  how 
de  to  Mr.  Bogart  and  family  [and]  Mrs.  Lott  and  family. 
Sister  Chester  expects  to  go  in  a  few  days  with  her  daughter 
and  Miss  Bull  for  Bethlem. 

Addressed:    General   Samuel   B.   Webb,   Broadway  No.   25,   New 
York  Citv. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
My  Dear  Brother:  WETHERSFIELD,  [June,  1789.] 

I  did  not  intend  to  have  troubled  you  or  any  of  my 
friends,  let  my  troubles  be  what  they  woud;  yet  when  I 
have  got  into  troubles  so  unexpectedly,  so  ungenerously, 
and  upon  reflection  find  the  consequences  so  serious,  I  can't 
help  but  paint  them  in  part  to  you.  As  for  myself  I  care 
but  little;  yet  [for]  my  dear  Partner  and  a  dear  little  flock 
of  seven  children,  my  heart  is  grieved  beyond  painting  or 
possibility  of  description.  J.  Barrell  was  so  hurt  and  so 
affected  that  he  left  us  this  morng  at  5  o'clock.  He  thinks 
that  as  Alsop  had  attached  and  both  Alsop  and  Seymour 
gave  out  they  was  determined  to  try  the  event  of  their 
attachment  on  real  property,  that  taking  my  person  was 
ungenerous.  Give  me  leave  to  say  you  cant  think  what  I 
undergo.  All  is  hid  from  my  good  Mrs.  Wfebb].  Tho  she 
has  yet  bore  all  with  fortitude  and  seeming  cheerfulness, 
yet  I  dread  to  tell  her  that  a  few  days  part  us.  I  can't 
muster  resolution  enough  to  tell  her.  Barrell  will  not 
permit  it.  He's  confident  Alsop  is  too  good  a  man;  but 
yet  when  he  reflects  upon  King,  it  distresses  him  for  me. 
For  myself  I  expect  to  go.  It  will  derange  all  preparations 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        377 

of  every  kind.  He  will  defeat  himself  and  all  the  rest,  for 
my  going  to  jail  shuts  up  my  books,  brings  my  person  to 
exposure  of  every  debtor  that  never  thot.  of  attachment 
before,  but  will  now,  for  fear  Alsop  should  get  some  advan 
tage.  I  was  doing  better  for  my  creditors  than  my  friend 
coud  think  of.  The  scarcity  of  grain  in  the  country  has 
bjoke  every  link  in  the  change,  and  the  country  people 
can  not  pay  untill  fall.  This  I  was  arranging  nobly  and 
should  have  fullfill'd  my  engagements. 

But  this  conduct  will  ruin  everything;  for  at  best  it  will 
give  every  puppy  leave  to  attach,  altho  he  engaged  other 
ways  when  he  finds  others  is,  cost  and  vexation,  delay  and 
disappointments.  Perhaps  he  will  take  the  half  of  the 
distillery  appraised  or  rather  agreed  for  if  clear.  What 
can  he  expect  by  my  going  to  jail?  He  thinks  how  as  we 
encouraged  him  at  first  of  full  pay.  Let  him  reflect  that 
I  was  to  give  and  secure  annual  payments  for  the  half  of 
Mrs.  A[lsop's]  distillery  4o£  L.  My.  a  year.  Mrs.  S.  and 
Mrs.  A[lsop]  prevented  after  solemn  agremt.  Said  40  was 
nothing  to  the  value.  If  that  was  true,  what  must  half 
the  work,  our  property,  be  worth?  More  than  enough  to 
pay  Mr.  A[lsop].  Perhaps  he  will  take  them.  Any  how 
does  he  wish  but  neighbors  fair?  We  have  never  deceiv'd 
him.  The  alteration  of  the  times  is  all.  But  if  I  was  to 
see  him  I  doubt  not  I  can  convince  him  of  his  duty.  He 
will  by  puting  me  to  jail  defeat  himself  and  all  my  prospects. 
Monday  next  I  go.  Now  I  have  to  say  tho  Mrs.  W[ebb] 
has  behaved  so  well,  she  will  not  be  able  to  part  with  me  to 
jail.  It  will  I  find  be  too  much  for  her  feeble  frame.  I 
dare  not  tell  her  yet,  as  I  expect  no  mercy  from  K[ing].  I 
ought.  Perhaps  Jo.  Bull  can  convince  him.  He  ruins  his 
own  design.  (Suspense  is  the  Devil.)  Write  me  in  due 


378  FAMILY     LETTERS 

season.  I  cant  look  over  this  letter,  corect  it  yourself. 
Adieu,  adieu.  Let  all  be  a  secret  in  York.  If  settled  as 
my  debtors  woud  like  to  know  I  settled  low  in  order  to 
thro  me  out  of  Interest.  Indeed,  Br.  Sam,  was  I  to  give 
all  up,  it  would  disappoint  creditors,  debtors,  and  every 
one.  My  plan  was  best  for  both.  This  I  coud  have  ac 
complished  and  done  well.  At  least  if  nothing  can  be 
done,  delay  my  imprisonment  untill  I  meet  him  or  some 
way.  Trouble  not  yourself  too  much,  I  will  be  resign'd 
to  the  worst  of  fate.  If  I  go  to  jail  come  not  to  see  me.  I 
wish  to  be  forgot.  Qhester]  family  and  ours  is  well. 
Adieu.  Adieu. 

Br.  Jack  has  reed,  yr  letter  by  Pease.  My  Dear,  Dear 
Mrs.  W[ebb],  her  delicacy  of  going  to  the  prison  to  see  me. 
Its  Hellish.  Keep  all  sacred  if  I  do  not  go  to  jail,  but  I 
expect  to  go.  Yet  while  there's  Life  there  is  some  hopes. 
He  can  at  least  be  polite  enough  to  put  it  off  for  me  to  come 
to  New  York.  Perhaps  I  coud  make  some  agreement 
with  him  that  woud  be  advantageous  to  both.  If  I  go  he 
puts  me  in  power  of  others,  that  may  as  I  have  repeatedly 
said  to  himself  and  me.  Beekman  Son  and  Goold  has  the 
same  Seymour  [torn].  So  much  depends  on  Aflsop]  him 
self --but  I  have  said  enough. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  6th  June,  1789. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

This  will  be  handed  you  by  Mr.  Thos.  Chester  1  who 
comes  to  see  New  York.     Any  civilities  shewn  him  will  be 

L  The  first  post-office  at  Wethersfield  was  established  in  April,  1794, 
with  Thomas  Chester  as  postmaster. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        379 

done  to  a  worthy  good  man.  He  will  let  you  know  the 
foolish  and  horrid  situation  I  am  in  —  on  the  I7th  inst. 
destin'd  for  jail,  unless  orders  from  our  late  worthy  friend 
Alsop  prevents.  I  had  so  settled  my  country  debts  that 
I  suppose  I  was  at  liberty  to  go  out  freely  when  I  pleas'd,  as 
nothing  coud  be  against  me  but  Beekman  Son  &  Goold 
and  Jno.  Alsop.  And  as  they  had  attached  property,  I 
did  not  know  that  when  they  got  out  execution  they  woud 
let  go  their  estate  and  levy  on  my  person.  But  yesterday 
I  road  to  Hartford  with  Mr.  Barrell,  and  after  being  at 
Bull's  a  short  time  the  officer  took  me  one  side  with  much 
civility  and  delicacy,  and  told  me  had  positive  orders  to 
levy  Miller  alias  Jno.  Alsop's  execution  on  my  body.  I 
can't  paint  to  you  my  distress.  Read  my  letter  to  Alsop, 
seal  it,  and  Chester  will  deliver  it.  I  wish  if  possible  to 
have  the  affair  accommodated  without  noise  or  trouble. 
Indeed  I  wish  it  may  be  a  secret  if  possible,  that  is  if  its 
settled,  as  it  will  disgrace  me  much  amongst  my  debtors. 
For  I  was  arranging  matters  by  giving  them  liberty  to  wait 
untill  their  crops  came  off  the  ground  to  make  remittances 
this  fall,  and  so  from  time  to  time  I  expected  them  to  for 
ward  payment  to  my  mind,  and  had  prepared  matters 
much  more  to  my  mind  than  I  was  affraid  off.  This  blow 
will  make  my  Book  Debtors  hang  back  and  not  give  Notes, 
for  fear  of  their  being  sold.  In  short,  unless  Alsop  will 
release  me  from  the  jail,  I  must  go,  and  there  I  wish  not 
to  see  my  friends  or  foes  untill  I  may  so  arrange  matters 
as  to  leave  this  part  of  the  country  for  some  retir'd  place 
of  rest.  But  my  Family,  there  is  the  difficulty.  What  is 
done  for  me  must  be  done  so  that  I  may  give  an  answer 
next  Saturday  evening,  for  next  Monday  I  am  to  deliver 
myself  to  the  officer.  I  am  sorry  to  give  so  many  of  my 


380  FAMILY     LETTERS 

friends  trouble  and  anxiety.  I  feel  it  most  sensibly.  I 
wish  I  may  be  able  to  return  their  gratitude  some  way 
most  amply  and  full.  I  am,  Dear  Saml.,  Yours  sincerely, 

J.  WEBB. 

There  is  none  in  town  know  of  my  situation  except  Jack, 
Mr.  Barrell  and  the  Chesters.  Our  families  are  quite 
ignorant.  It's  a  serious  matter.  The  horrid  close  walls 
already  begin  to  appear  to  me,  but  I  can  cheerfully  resign 
to  fate,  and  to  be  lost  to  the  world  if  my  family  cou'd  be 
happy. 

I  am  obliged  to  appear  cheerfull  under  the  greatest 
cloud.  But  I  will  be  the  Philosopher. 

My  Brother  Jack's  attention  and  feeling  for  [me]  unmans 
me.  I  dread  the  telling  of  it  to  Mrs.  W[ebb].  I  hope  to 
God  Mr.  Alsop  will  see  his  own  interest,  but  really  I  do 
not  expect  it,  as  King  is  there.  I  must  prepare  for  the 
worst.  Shou'd  anything  be  done  favorably,  let  it  all  be 
Sub  Rosa  to  the  rest  of  the  world.  Be  cool  and  calm  (let 
it  not  ruffle  you  shou'd  nothing  be  done.)  Perhaps  all 
may  be  for  the  best;  but  it  appears  to  me  almost  ruinous, 
for  it's  but  a  short  time  and  all  book  debts  will  be  outlaw'd 
and  much  and  most  all  lies  in  that  situation.  I  am  almost 
distracted  when  I  think  seriously  what  a  hellish  condition 
this  rideing  out  to  Drink  Tea  at  Wadsworth's  has  brot  me 
to.  But  why  do  I  trouble  you?  I  will  submit  to  the 
worst  that  can  come.  Yet  its  my  duty  to  prevent  going 
to  one  of  our  Horrid  Castles.  Was  it  like  N.  Y.,  and  the 
same  liberality  shewn,  it  wou'd  be  something;  but  ours  is 
as  bad  as  immagination  can  paint  it.  Adieu.  Adieu.  Yrs 
Sincerely,  J.  WEBB. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Broadway  No.  25,  New 
York.  Per  Thomas  Chester,  Esq. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        381 

FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Sunday,  yth  June,  1789. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

We  arriv'd  here  on  Thursday  after  an  agreeable  journey. 
The  first  day  we  dined  with  Aunt  Polly,  who  gave  us  an 
agreeable  reception  and  a  very  pretty  dinner.  This  place 
is  very  disagreeable,  particularly]  at  this  period,  as  you 
will  find  by  my  brother's  letter.  What  will  be  the  event 
God  only  knows.  I  think  should  he  be  oblig'd  to  leave 
his  family,  it  will  ruin  him  and  injure  his  creditors;  for 
two  years  from  this  all  Book  debts  are  outlaw'd,  and  should 
he  only  be  confin'd  for  one  day,  it  will  prevent  his  settling 
any  of  his  accounts.  In  short  tho'  its  extremely  disagree 
able  to  you  to  interfear,  yet  I  think  his  and  family's  situa 
tion  demand  our  immediate  attention.  I  shall  write  you 
in  a  few  days  again.  I  must  request  you  to  send  me  my 
saddle  by  young  Mr.  Barrell,  and  pay  for  the  horse  hire 
on  Long  Island.  You  will  find  my  coat  at  Mr.  Atkinspn's. 
I  will  take  it  as  a  particular  favor  if  you  will  send  to  the 
packet  that  arriv'd  from  Georgia  for  letters.  I  expect 
some  mony  also.  Since  I  left  you  I  think  I  was  told  that 
Major  Berrjan  owes  a  considerable  sum  of  mony  to  Turner.1 
Perhaps  should  you  see  him  you  may  save  some  mony,  but 
you  must  not  take  his  note.  A  note  or  bonds  are  not 
worth  much  to  the  southard.  This  will  be  handed  you 
by  Thomas  Chester,  Esqr.  who  accompanys  his  sister  and 
niece.  Write  me  by  every  opportunity;  it  will  in  some 
degree  palliate  for  the  disagreeables  of  this  place.  Remem 
ber  me  to  all  friends  and  believe  me  to  be  with  sincere 
Esteem  your  Friend  and  Brother, 

JOHN. 

1  Major  George  Turner. 


382  FAMILY     LETTERS 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

Sunday  Evening,  I4th  June,  1789. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

This  acknowledges  your  long  affectionate  letter  of  the 
nth  Instant.  I  am  and  I  am  not  disappointed.  Some 
wrong  head  had  injur'd  me  with  Mr.  Alsop.  I  feel  for  my 
creditors  and  my  family;  for  myself  was  I  alone  I  woud 
not  value  it.  Mr.  Alsop  and  Mr.  K[ing]  will  reflect  when 
its  too  late  that  they  have  been  misinform'd  of  cause  and 
taken  ill  advice.  Make  yourself  easy  —  a  Jail  is  not  so 
frightful  (by  [but]  my  dear  Mrs.  W.)  I  have  unfolded  the 
whole  to  her;  she  is  wretched  enough;  altho  she  has  born 
every  thing  else,  this  last  will  be  too  heavy  for  her  delicate 
frame.  Good  God,  who  cou'd  have  thought  this  would 
have  ever  happen  to  one  of  our  family.  Brother  Jack 
Webb  and  Chester  both  behave  to  a  charm.  Mr.  Deming 
has  my  most  sincere  thanks  for  his  feelings  and  polite  be 
havior.  My  creditors  must  thank  Mr.  A[lsop]  or  rather 
Mr.  K[ing]  for  all  their  disappointments.  Its  impossible 
so  good  a  man  as  Mr.  A[lsop]  always  has  been  shoud  behave 
so  unguarded  to  his  own  interest  and  the  interest  of  his 
particular  friends.  I  am  prepared  for  the  worst  that  can 
happen.  Adieu.  Adieu.  I  am  sincerely  Yrs., 

J.  WEBB. 

I  think  it  best  to  keep  all  secret  untill  I  am  realy  gone  to 
Jail.  Then  all  will  be  ruin.  The  law  of  limitation  on 
book  debts,  Notes,  Officers,  Dead  persons  accts,  delays 
and  cost,  woud  ruin  the  King's  revenue.  (I  shall  wish  for 
to  be  thought  no  more  of).  What  a  friendship  I  have  had 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB         383 

for  Mr.  A[lsop].     How  I  felt  for  his  daughter  when  a  pris 
oner  at  Millford,  but  I  have  done. 

Addressed:   General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  No.  25  Broadway  New  York. 
Per  Stage. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Tuesday  Evening,  n  o'clock. 

June  1 6th,  1789. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  am  this  moment  returned  from  Hartford.  I  road  over 
this  evening  with  Colo.  Chester  to  see  Seymour,  and  see 
what  coud  be  done.  Alsop's  letter  determined  and  positive 
against  doing  anything,  but  full  and  ample  security.  We 
found  Mr.  Seymour  abed  being  unwell;  but  he  has  agreed 
to  come  over  and  dine  with  us  tomorrow.  I  think  be 
tween  you  and  me  there  will  a  suspension  of  fourteen  or 
fifteen  days.  I  am  chagrined  and  mortified  that  I  shoud 
give  so  many  of  my  friends  trouble,  anxiety,  and  uneasiness, 
on  my  acct.  Poor  Mrs.  W[ebb] !  When  I  paint  to  you  her 
feelings  when  I  first  told  her  of  the  affair  it  will  distress  you. 
Such  a  sigh,  such  a  groan!  Oh!  Mr.  W.  it  must  not  be. 
She  had  rather  take  me  and  her  children  by  the  hand  and 
go  out  of  doors  and  leave  all  and  seek  our  fortunes.  Leave 
the  rest  untill  we  meet,  for  its  too  new  to  repeat  at  present. 
Dear  amiable  partner,  too  sensibly  does  she  feel  for  me;  all 
her  anxiety  is  on  my  acct.  For  myself  I  woud  not  care  a 
rush;  its  for  her,  her  dear  children  (which  I  believe  are 
pleasing  even  to  all  their  acquaintance).  My  Dear  Brother 
and  Sisters !  Reflection  that  they  feel  so  much  touches  me 


384  FAMILYLETTERS 

beyond  description.  Colo.  Chester  thinks  Aflsop]  has  be 
haved  out  of  character.  He  told  Mitch[ell],  told  me,  and 
has  told  a  number,  he  did  not  wish  or  woud  take  my  person. 
Barrell  is  surprised;  first  blame[d]  me  for  exposing  myself; 
on  hearing  of  the  facts,  did  not  censure  me.  Keep  all 
your  distress  within  due  bounds  of  the  circle  of  creditors. 
Its  all  a  secret  here,  and  I  believe  will  remain  so,  if  I  adjust 
and  settle  as  I  yet  expect.  Will  my  comeing  to  York  for  a 
day  or  two  be  of  any  service  to  make  A[lsop]  hear  to  reason, 
and  to  convince  him  of  his  own  good?  After  all  Goal  is 
prefferable  to  let  them  injure  my  other  generous  creditors 
or  my  family.  K[ing]  and  A[lsop]  mistake  if  they  think 
to  frighten  me  so  as  to  lower  my  respect  for  myself  or  family. 
I  will  do  honorably  and  do  justly.  Pray  write  me  fully  by 
the  return  of  the  post  freely.  My  head  and  heart  ache.  I 
believe  you'll  think  this  letter  proves  it.  All  are  gone  to 
bed.  I  am  realy  fatigued,  stupid  and  dull  after  my  ride  to 
Hartford.  Jack  is  gone  to  bed,  Jo  is,  Barrell,  and  indeed 
all  the  family.  Advise  me  freely  and  fully.  Richd.  Bacon 
leaves  this  place  early  in  the  morng.  by  water  for  York. 
He  knows  nothing  of  my  affairs,  nor  is  it  best  any  shoud 
but  what  does.  What  says  Belinda  Smith?  Tell  Sister 
Betsy  her  family  at  home  is  well.  The  town  is  much  as  she 
left  it.  No  death  losses  or  crosses  in  her  family  since  she 
left  the  town.  Connecticut  is  more  distressed  for  bread 
corn  than  I  ever  knew,  on  acct.  of  shipg.  too  much  abroad 
and  the  crops  of  last  year  being  cut  off.  Let  me  know 
your  price  current.  Make  yourself  as  happy  as  possible. 
Shoud  the  worst  come  to  the  worst  I  will  endeavour  right 
shall  rule  my  actions,  and  I  will  be  resigned.  My  eyes  are 
almost  clos'd.  Adieu.  Yrs  Sincerely, 

W. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB          385 

Yours  of  the  I4th  I  have  just  found  was  reed,  by  Mrs. 
W[ebb].  Accept  my  thanks.  She  is  asleep,  or  woud 
desire  to  be  remembd. 

In  Hartford  &  Wethersfield:  Wheat  8/  Rye  5/3.  5/6 
Indian  Corn  \/  @  4/4  Buckwheat  2/10  Oats  i/io 
Potatoes  2/6  3/6  Flour  seven  dollars  per  barl. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  June  i8th,  1789. 
Thursday  Evening. 

Dear  Brother: 

Yours  of  the  I4th  instant  I  have  received,  but  am  dis 
appointed  at  not  receiving  one  by  this  Eveng.  stage.  The 
Driver  tells  me  he  enquired  particularly  at  the  Mid[dle- 
town]  mail.  However  as  I  know  you  must  be  anxious  I 
write  you  in  full  hopes  this  will  arrive  safe  and  releave 
your  great  anxiety  for  yet  a  little  while.  According  to 
your  advice  Brother  Jack  at  different  times  acquainted 
my  dear,  dear,  amiable  Mrs.  W[ebb]  with  the  whole  affair, 
and  I  shew  her  the  letters.  The  prospect  [is]  as  gloomy  as 
it  was;  guess  everything,  it  cant  be  painted.  Her  distress 
was  beyond  everything.  As  to  property,  of  no  value  in  her 
mind;  but  the  good  Colo.  Chester  has  so  managed  the 
affair  and  given  bonds,  that  the  officer  has  liberated  me 
from  Jail  untill  the  iyth  of  July,  in  full  hopes  the  obstinate 
creditor  will  hear  to  reason,  and  some  settlement  take  place. 
Now  the  delicacy  is  so  great  that  I  feel  under  every  obliga 
tion  to  Chester.  I  ought  to  go  to  New  York,  or  send  some 
trusty  person  that  will  attend  [to]  the  business.  I  cant 
but  think  I  can  convince  my  friends  and  creditors  that  I 
am  doing  all  in  my  power  for  their  interest.  Yet  reflect, 


386  FAMILYLETTERS 

if  any  other  creditor  should  stop  me  either  in  New  York, 
or  indeed  any  other  county  besides  Hartford,  it  would 
give  Alsop  an  advantage. 

Therefore  if  I  come  I  must  go  and  come  in  safety,  or  all 
is  ruined.  This  I  think  can  be  done.  Write  me  fully  that 
I  may  know  how  to  conduct.  There  is  time  enough  yet, 
tho  something  ought  to  be  done  immediately,  as  it  is  not 
good  to  put  off  to  the  last.  Amidst  all  my  troubles  how 
fortunate  I  ought  to  think  myself  that  Brother  Jack  is 
here.  He  hardly  lets  me  breath  for  myself,  he's  so  atten 
tive  to  my  distresses.  Mrs.  W[ebb],  thank  Heaven,  is 
better  since  the  liberation.  It  wore  her  out  with  the  young 
dear  lambs  being  almost  all  down  with  the  meazles.  It's 
a  secret  here  only  known  to  three  or  four.  I  wish  this  may 
be  the  case  with  you.  Heaven  grant  I  may  fall  on  some 
happy  commodation.  A[lsop]  must  come  in,  for  I  will 
stand  by  the  other  creditors  that  have  behaved  so  well, 
and  as  gloomy  and  horrid  as  the  thought  is,  Jail  is  prefer 
able  to  be  thot  doing  wrong.  I  little  thot  I  should  ever 
feel  the  heavy  hand  I  now  feel  from  a  Yorker.  Bacon 
knows  nothing  of  this  or  is  worth  while.  He  has  a  com 
mon  chair  for  Mrs.  Bogart  which  I  promised  to  send  her. 
I  could  not  get  it  painted  to  my  mind.  Please  to  have  [it] 
first  finely  painted  green,  and  presented  to  her  in  my  name. 
They  are  all  well  at  Colo.  Chester's.  I  am,  Dear  Brother, 
Avith  the  most  feeling  gratitude  for  your  attention  to  my 
affairs,  Yours  sincerely, 

W. 

You'll  observe  this  letter  is  for  your  advice  about  my 
comeing  or  sending.  Brother  Jack  says  he  should  have 
written  you,  but  he  feels  embarrassed  on  my  acct.,  and  as 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        387 

I  write  it  will  answer.  His  and  my  state  of  suspense  is 
disagreeable.  Write  me  fully  as  possible.  Brother  Jack 
stays  by  me  untill  something  more  is  determined.  He 
expects  his  vessel  in  about  ten  days.  Nat.  Barrell  is  yet 
with  us. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Broadway  No  25,  New  York. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  June  21,  1789. 
Sunday  Evening. 

My  Dear  Brother: 

Yours  of  the  i8th  lies  before  me.  I  am  pleasd  with  Mr. 
Denning's  attention,  but  cannot  acct.  for  Mr.  A[lsop's] 
conduct.  Why  is  he  so  obstinate  to  the  unfortunate? 

I  am  amazeingly  disappointed,  chagrin'd  and  hurt.  I 
had  conceived  the  highest  oppinion  of  his  feeling,  humane, 
benevolent  heart.  No,  his  letter  to  Seymour  I  do  not 
believe  is  different  from  his  conversation  to  you;  it  stops 
all  settlements.  My  situation  is  disagreeable  enough;  it's 
a  continual  state  of  suspense.  Seymour,  [or]  rather  Dodd 
the  officer,  has  further  allow'd  me,  as  I  wrote  you  last, 
untill  the  iyth  of  July  to  endeavor  a  settlement.  Now  I 
wait  for  your  advice,  whether  to  come  on  myself,  or  send 
a  hand  to  endeavour  to  soften  the  heart  of  Alsop.  Indeed 
I  have,  between  ourselves,  thot  of  Joseph  Bull's  going  on 
for  me.  He  has  much  the  confidence  of  the  Yorkers,  has 
negotiated  well  for  himself  and  several  friends.  He's 
perfectly  my  friend,  between  you  and  me.  I  suppose  I 
could  do  best  myself,  but  is  there  not  some  danger  of  my 
comeing?  Being  taken  out  of  the  County  of  Hartford, 
so  as  to  prevent  my  being  here  on  the  iyth  July,  would 


388  FAMILY     LETTERS 

make  my  friend  Colo.  Chester  liable,  which  I  would  not  do 
for  the  world. 

I  am  embarrassed.  I  could  bear  all  the  cursed  misfor 
tunes  of  life  want  [were  not]  it  for  my  Dear  Mrs.  Wfebb] 
and  children,  and  I  might  add,  my  brothers  and  sisters. 
For  myself  I  could  be  resigned  to  fate.  All  remains  here  a 
secret,  and  will  unless  some  one  writes  it  from  New  York. 
There  was  no  letter  from  you  post  before  last.  Do  not 
fail  me  untill  something  is  done.  Colo.  Chester  is  much 
obliged  to  you  for  mentioning  his  wife;  it's  all  the  source 
he  hears  from  her.  He  wishes  much  for  her,  feels  like  a 
widower.  I  am,  dear  Brother,  Yr  sincere  and  affectionate 
Brother, 

Jos.  WEBB. 

Brother  Jack  stays  by  me  and  ready  to  do  all  in  his 
power.  He  supposes  its  not  necessary  for  him  to  write 
per  every  opportunity. 

Tell  our  friend  Denning,  as  disagreeable  as  a  jail  is,  I 
hardly  believe  I  shall  do  anything  that  he  and  my  other 
creditors  does  not  approve. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  26th  Friday,  June  1789. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  have  sat  down  several  times  to  write,  but  when  I  wrote 
my  spirits  were  such  that  on  a  second  reading  I  destroyed 
them.  Leaving  this  tomorrow  for  Coalchester  to  continue 
there  till  Monday,  I  thought  it  my  duty  as  well  as  inclina 
tion  to  inform  you  that  I  have  advised  our  brother  to  em 
ploy  Jos.  Bull  to  try  to  negotiate  his  matter  with  Alsop. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        389 

For  its  my  candid  opinion  that  should  he  be  obliged  to  go 
to  [New  York],  it  will  boath  ruin  him  and  prevent  his  ever 
paying  his  creditors;  for  no  one  will  settle  with  him  when 
he  is  there.  Since  my  return  he  has  been  constantly  clos 
ing  the  accts.,  and  arranging  his  matters  so  as  to  close  them, 
which  I  have  not  a  doubt  he  would,  if  they  would  let  him  be 
unmolested.  Why  would  any  person  try  to  injure  him 
and  family  when  he  is  doing  every  thing  to  benefit  those 
he  owes?  I  wish  to  God  Alsop  may  see  his  own  interest. 
Should  he  study  that  he  would  not  drive  the  man  who  has 
served  him  to  ruin.  He  is  by  no  means  necessitated;  was 
he,  that  might  be  some  excuse.  I  am  sure  you  will  do 
every  thing  in  your  power.  I  wish  you  would  write  me 
fully  what  you  think  on  this  plan.  I  have  received  letters 
today  from  my  vessell  in  the  Cape.  She  has  come  to  very 
bad  markets.  I  expect  her  next  week,  after  which  I  shall 
be  at  leisure,  when  I  shall  be  able  to  follow  any  plan  you 
have.  I  expect  it  [will]  be  fourteen  or  fifteen  days  before 
I  can  leave  this.  Let  me  request  you  to  speak  to  our 
friend  Major  Berrian  respecting  a  small  order  he  accepted 
from  Thomas  Collier,  Esq.,  for  twenty  pounds  sterling.  I 
also  expect  in  the  first  vessell  from  Georgia  a  few  Hhd. 
tobacco.  Should  it  arrive  be  good  enough  to  order  it  sold 
and  send  the  money  to  me. 

Mrs.  Chester  has  returned  and  speaks  very  much  of  your 
attention  to  her.  She  is  much  pleased  with  her  jaunt.  I 
have  a  vast  deal  to  say  to  you,  but  that  must  be  referred 
till  I  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you.  Nothing  but  neces 
sity  would  send  me  to  Coalchester.  Please  to  remember 
me  to  all  friends,  and  believe  me  to  be  your  Affectionate 
Brother,  JOHN. 

Addressed:   General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York. 


390  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  ELIHU  CHAUNCEY  GOODRICH. 
Dear  Sir: 

Yours  with  its  enclosure  to  Doctr.  W.  V.  W.1  came  safe 
and  was  safely  handed  with  the  small  bundle. 

This  encloses  one  to  you  directed.  All  friends  as  usual. 
Respecting  Nankeens  I  shall  give  you  information  by  our 
friend  Jacob  R.  Van  Rensselaer,  who  will  be  with  you  next 
week.  Come  and  see  your  friends  and  yours,  etc., 

ELIHU  CHAUNCEY  GOODRICH. 

CLAVERACK,  26th  June,  1789. 

Addressed:  Gen'l  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Broadway,  New  York.  Free. 
Elihu  Chauncey  Goodrich. 


JOSEPH  WEBB  TO  JAMES  SEAGROVE. 

Dear  Seagrove: 

I  am  again  in  New  York  on  the  old  business,  settling 
with  d — m — d  hard  obstinate  creditors  —  the  worst  of  all 
business  under  Heaven.  Little  thought  I  that  we  should 
either  of  us  be  so  harrassed.  God  knows  I  do  not  think 
either  of  us  deserve  it,  but  fate  has  ordered  it  and  we  must 
submit. 

As  to  the  House  of  McEvers  &  Co,  it's  in  a  singular  situa 
tion.  No  one  to  receive  or  give  orders,  yet  many  different 
agents,  committees,  and  the  Devil  knows  not  what,  all 
ready  and  willing  to  receive,  but  as  I  said  before,  paddy 
like  none  loves  to  receive,  nor  is  it  yet  determined  by  law 
who  shall  receive.  I  am  vext  with  my  cruel  situation. 
The  War  has  fell  most  cruelly  on  those  who  had  outstand 
ing  debts.  There  is  no  such  thing  as  collection;  it's  almost 

1  W.  Vrooman  Wimple. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB  39! 

out  of  the  question.  I  have  been  round  the  town,  and  the 
whole  face  of  this  city  seems  changed;  most  of  our  old 
friends  and  acquaintances  departed,  new  faces,  such  as 
Londoners,  Irishmen  and  Scotchmen.  However  I  hope  it 
possible  to  close  with  my  creditors  at  this  time  some  how 
or  somehow.  I  wish  sometimes  I  had  left  my  country. 
This  would  be  hard  after  the  amazeing  run  of  business  I 
have  had  and  done,  the  agreeable  connections  I  have  formed, 
the  beautiful  little  town  I  am  settled  down  in.  There  I  can 
be  one  of  the  first.  If  I  go  away  God  knows  what  may  hap 
pen;  besides  my  Dear  Amiable  Mrs.  Webb  and  seven 
children.  At  Wethersfield  our  schools  are  now  perhaps 
equal  to  any  upon  the  continent  for  Masters  or  Misses,  as 
Mrs.  Green  can  tell  you;  and  they  are  much  improved 
since  she  left  us.  Between  us  you  Southern  gentlemen 
would  all  do  much  better  to  send  to  Wethersfield  for  their 
children's  education  than  anywhere  else  that  I  know  of. 
My  little  Sally  makes  me  think  I  am  [an]  old  fellow. 

By  the  way,  pray,  my  dear  Seagrove,  let  me  ask  you  for  a 
long  circumstantial  letter  about  the  fray  of  Miller  and  Jack. 
Jack  is  at  times  imprudent,  but  after  all  no  one  possesses  a 
better  heart  He  is  extremely  hurt  you  should  be  out  with 
him;  its  a  misunderstanding  some  way  I  wish  explained. 
I  declare  solemnly  before  he  left  me  I  never  with  all  his 
imprudences  heard  him  speak  a  hard  word  either  of  you  or 
Mrs.  S[eagrove],  but  always  the  reverse  way.  I  may  go 
farther  and  say  all  his  letters  from  Georgia  spoke  highly  in 
favor  of  Mrs.  Seagrove,  saying  she  was  like  his  sister  Webb, 
who  he  adores.  Now  all  these  put  together  make  me  con 
fident  there  is  some  wretched  misinformation  and  misunder 
standing  which  may  easily  through  your  goodness  of  heart 
and  benevolence  all  be  put  to  rights. 


392  FAMILY     LETTERS 

I  received  your  letter  and  have  done  the  needful  as  to 
saying  all  in  my  power  not  only  to  our  Representative], 
but  to  others.  So  has  Sam  B.  and  several  other  of  your 
friends.  Henry  Livingston  has  this  moment  come  in  to 
see  me  and  asked  who  I  was  writing  to.  I  told  him  you. 
He  begged  me  to  say  God  bless  you,  and  tell  you  he  was 
doing  the  needful  and  would  push  it.  Sam  Webb  says 
there  is  no  less  than  twenty  applying  for  the  very  post  on 
the  list  to  the  President.  Write  me  every  oppty.,  and 
should  it  be  convenient  some  of  your  flower  seeds,  shrubs, 
or  something  in  this  way,  would  not  come  amiss  in  the 
pleasant  garden  of  your  Friend  Webb.  I  have  also  to 
make  another  request,  viz  that  you  would  collect  me  some 
respectable  evidences  that  Jona.  Simpson  was  in  Georgia 
with  the  enemies.  That  he  took  an  active  part  and  fol 
lowed  the  British  Army.  The  evidence  must  be  sworn  to 
before  a  magistrate,  and  sealed  up  directed  to  the  Superior 
Court  in  Hartford  in  Connecticut. 

I  am,  Dear  Jemmy,  wishing  you  every  happiness  Your 
affectionate  friend, 

JOS.    WTEBB. 
NEW  YORK,  July  8th,  1789 
at  Mrs.  Frances  Inn. 

Should  the  Dear  Mrs.  G[reene]  not  be  from  Georgia,  say 
how  de  to  her,  that  all  her  Weth[ersfiel]d  friends  are  well. 
Lathrop  yet  keeps  the  Misses'  school.  Mrs.  W[ebb]  WTOte 
her  a  few  days  before  I  left  home.  Miss  Betsy  Chester 
[and]  Miss  Bull  are  at  Bethlem,  left  there  a  few  days  since 
by  Mrs.  Jack  Chester  and  Thos.  If  you  have  any  com 
mands  this  way  I  shall  be  happy  to  serve  you. 

Addressed:   James  Seagrove,  Esq.,  Savannah,  Georgia. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        393 

FROM  KILLIAN  K.  VAN  RENSSELAER 

My  D.  Friend: 

The  stage  driver  informed  me  that  he  had  put  a  letter  in 
the  post  office  for  me  from  you.  This  information  I  did 
not  receive  till  this  afternoon.  I  called  at  the  office  this 
evening  and  the  Post  Master  was  absent.  I  know  not  the 
contents  of  your  letter,  but  I  will  attend  to  it  in  the  morn 
ing.  Goodrich  has  not  received  his  examination,  and  I  am 
fearful  it  will  not  take  place  till  the  last  of  the  week.  My 
business  I  will  accomplish  tomorrow,  but  I  shall  be  in  duty 
bound  to  attend  to  Goodrich,  and  wait  until  he  gets  his 
examination. 

Pray  dont  leave  Claverack  till  after  my  return,  which  will 
be  on  Thursday  or  Friday.  I  hope  you  have  taken  posses 
sion  of  one  of  my  rooms  or  all.  My  love  to  the  dear  girls. 
Yours  in  great  haste, 

K.  K.  V.  R. 

July  29th,  1789. 

LEWIS'S  TAVERN.    Wednesday  Evg  9  o'clock. 

Addressed:   General  Samuel  Webb,  Claverack. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFJELD,  3rd  August,  1789. 

Sunday  Evening. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  have  this  moment  returned  from  Litchfield,  where  I 
have  had  a  most  delightful  ride.  I  spent  this  afternoon 
with  Trumbull.  He  thinks  it  will  be  well  for  you  to  be 
here  at  my  trial  with  Simpson.  He  thinks  he  can  keep  it 
off  a  few  days  for  your  arrival. 


394  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Brother  Jack  is  at  Salisbury.  I  was  in  some  hopes  to 
have  met  him,  but  my  deranged  affairs  would  not  suffer. 
I  expect  him  home  tomorrow.  Mrs.  Green  is  not  arrived. 
Remember  any  evidence  you  get  of  Simpson's  being 
within  the  lines  at  London,  Halifax,  Quebec,  New  York  or 
Georgia,  will  be  all  of  sevice.  Remember  the  other  neces 
sary  that  we  have  chatted  about.  Tell  my  friends  Strong, 
Denny,  Vanhorn,  I  shall  make  no  other  offer  to  Alsop.  I 
shall  guard  the  property  in  my  hands  for  our  mutual  benefit, 
and  will  do  the  honorable  part  as  far  as  my  abilities  will 
allow.  I  am  most  sincerely  yours, 

J.  W. 

Bacon  will  call  and  pay  Browers. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Tuesday  Evening,  [August  u(?),  1789.] 

My  Dear  Brother: 

I  have  nothing  new  to  write  you  yet  as  my  affairs  are 
situated.  I  suppose  it  will  please  you  to  find  me  with  my 
family,  and  that  we  make  ourselves  as  happy  as  we  can. 
Tomorrow  or  next  day  I  go  for  Litchfield;  but  I  go  in  one 
day  and  return  the  next,  ready  to  receive  your  letters.  As 
to  Alsop  make  yourself  easy.  I  trust  all  will  be  well,  tho 
I  rather  expect  to  go  to  prison,  but  tell  my  creditors  I  have 
made  up  my  mind.  I  shall  make  no  further  offers.  I  hope 
you  will  not  forget  me  about  the  Congress  M—  — .  Yet  you 
must  get  it  for  a  short  time  so  as  to  answer  a  short  purpose. 
Our  Court  sits  the  first  Tuesday  of  September  next.  I 
shall  be  glad  to  have  you  here  without  fail  at  the  trial.  It 
will  be  necessary  for  me  to  prove  he  was  within  the  British 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        395 

lines.  This  evidence  you  will  please  bring.  I  suppose  I 
can  put  off  the  trial  for  a  day  or  two  for  you,  if  necessary. 
But  I  should  be  sorry  to  be  without  you  at  the  trial.  Its 
a  matter  of  so  much  consequence,  the  Court  will  indulge 
me  with  several  days.  Pray  is  Congress  agoing  to  do  any 
thing  for  you?  Hum[phre]ys  is  provided  for.  When  does 
he  leave  New  York?  :  I  must  write  him  on  business,  but 
time  will  not  permit.  Jack  Webb,  Chester,  and  Riley, 
find  plenty  of  game;  therefore  bring  your  gun  powder  and 
shott.  We  will  endeavor  to  make  it  as  agreeable  as  possi 
ble.  Do  not  forget  your  Acct.  with  E.  Bulkley.  His 
widow  is  disposed  to  behave  ill  to  us  I  mistrust.  Did  I 
tell  you  that  Jack  Webb  had  a  very  bad  kick  from  his  horse 
sometime  since,  which  prevented  his  journey;  but  is  now 
so  he  rides  out  and  goes  a  gunning.  What  shall  be  done 
with  Jack  Webb  and  Mrs.  G[reene]  when  they  meet?  I  am, 
Dear  Brother,  Yrs.  Sincerely, 

J.  WEBB. 

Brother  Jack  Chester  behaves  to  a  charm  and  indeed  his 
family.  Mrs.  W[ebb]  and  Sally  beg  to  be  remembered  to 
you.  Old  Mr.  Hugh's  2  evidence  of  his  buying  goods  of  me 
for  the  Army  and  paying  Continental  money  only,  will  be 
of  service;  if  convenient  to  get.  So  will  Wadsworth. 

The  Money  for  my  Taylor  will  be  paid  before  you  leave 
it.  I  have  skipt  something  will  be  in  York  in  a  few  days. 
I  feel  the  hint. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Broadway,  No.  25.  New 
York. 


1  As  United  States  minister  to  Portugal. 

2  Hugh  Hughes? 


396  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  August  i8th,  1789. 

Tuesday  Evening. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

Yours  of  the  i6th  gave  me  pleasure  to  find  you  back  in 
New  York.  On  Sunday  last  I  waited  on  Seymour,  told 
him  I  was  ready  to  go  to  jail  on  Monday  according  to  his 
request.  I  asked  him  for  his  orders  from  Alsop.  He 
showed  me  a  letter  dated  the  2nd  instant,  wrote  by  Alsop 
himself,  in  which  he  writes  nearly  the  following  words. 

Dr.  Sir.  I  wrote,  you  some  time  since  by  Jos.  Webb,  who  requested 
a  few  weeks  to  negotiate  and  make  some  offers.  I  wrote  you,  if  it  was 
not  inconsistent  with  my  hold  to  grant  him  a  reasonable  time.  Three 
weeks  has  elapsed,  and  I  have  not  heard  a  word  from  him.  I  now  wish 
the  officer  may  be  crowded  to  his  duty;  if  security  or  payment  is  not 
made,  confine  him  in  goal  immediately.  Yr.  H.  Servt., 

JNO.  ALSOP. 

John  does  not  know  me.  He  and  Rufus  may  find  them 
selves  mistaken  when  its  too  late.  I  shall  make  no  offers, 
hard  as  the  fate  is.  I  know  its  necessary  to  go;  but  its 
ruinous  both  to  creditors  and  my  family.  I  confess  I  cant 
see  what  they  would  be  at;  but  you  may  tell  my  other 
creditors  I  feel  all  they  could  wish  me  to  do.  I  am  pre 
paring,  and  in  short  am  ready  at  an  hour's  warning. 

Poor  Mrs  W[ebb]  has  born  all  with  most  astonishing  forti 
tude  and  cleverness;  but  this  comes  with  a  heavyness  I 
fear  will  be  too  much  for  her.  I  suppose  I  shall  go  on 
Fryday.  I  am  quite  resigned,  and  had  rather  move  into 
Gaol,  and  be  within  the  yard  with  my  family,  than  make 
Jno.  Alsop  any  other  offer.  He's  an  [un]feeling  Dutch 
man  that  is  quarreling  with  his  own  interest.  I  find  Sey 
mour  feels  for  me,  is  surprised  Alsop  does  not  accept,  cant 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        397 

but  think  he  still  will.  For  my  part  I  have  no  Idea  Jno. 
or  Rufus  will  give  any  other  orders  than  to  collect  the 
whole,  or  put  me  to  Gaol.  They  prefer  loosing  the  Debt. 
Why  [do]  I  say  Jno.  and  Rufus?  This  is  their  langue  when 
they  talk  of  Jos.  W.  No,  Brother  Sam,  I  will  not  knowingly 
injure  my  other  creditors  by  gratifying  their  unfeeling  un- 
mercantile  conduct.  Write  me  by  the  return  of  this  post. 
I  think  its  likely  to  be  the  last  I  can  receive  from  you  be 
fore  I  am  destined  to  that  horrid  cell  at  Hartford.  Make 
yourself  easy  on  my  Acct.  I  doubt  not  I  shall  find  friends 
there.  The  first  private  opportunity  I  shall  send  Bowers 
his  bill.  Tell  Denning,  Strong,  and  the  rest,  I  shall  do 
what  is  right,  and  make  no  other  offer  to  A[lsop], 

Forget  me  not  about  the  needful  for  the  first  Tuesday 
[in]  September,  about  Jona.  Simpson's  affair.  I  wish  for 
an  evidence  that  saw  Jona.  Simpson  within  the  British 
lines;  for  tho  its  believed,  yet  it  must  be  known.  Did  you 
ever  see  him  during  your  imprisonment?  I  believe  I  must 
have  Atkinson's  evidence.  Is  Effingham  Lawrence  gone 
to  London?  Brother  Jack  wishes  for  his  saddle  and  bridle. 
I  wish  for  mine  from  McEvers,  for  Sally  to  write  on  horse 
back.  Where  is  Mrs.  Greene? 

To  return  to  my  business.  Our  friend  Wadsworth  has 
been  friendly  and  clever.  He  has  all  the  Dear  Good  wishes 
of  the  Chester  and  Webb  family  for  his  attention  to  me. 
You  cant  think  what  Jack  Chester,  Mrs.  C[hester],  the  old 
lady,  feel  for  me.  Make  your  self  easy  about  my  fortitude. 
It  will  be  all  you  can  wish.  I  am  ready  for  the  worst. 
Poor  Jack  Webb  is  like  a  forlorn  wanderer.  He  vexes, 
teases  himself  to  death.  Curses  A[lsop]  and  K[ing]  for  the 
hardness  of  their  hearts;  loves  me  and  the  family  dearly; 
but  I  wish  to  G — d  he  would  make  himself  the  happy,  easy, 


398  FAMILY     LETTERS 

calm,  quiet  Philosopher.  What  do  you  mean  about 
A[lsop]  hearing  the  words  of  Mr.  Jos.  Bull?  I  know  not 
what  you  mean.  I  wish  you  would  let  me  know.  I  also 
wish  you  would  enquire  if  I  did  not  leave  a  shirt  and  some 
other  clothes  either  at  your  house,  Mrs.  Frances'  or  at 
Philips'.  Brother  Jack  would  have  met  you,  but  just  be 
fore  his  vessel  sailed  one  of  his  horses  kickt  him  bad;  but 
he's  now  quite  recovered  and  will  write  you  soon.  I  am 
your  much  injured  and  distressed  Brother, 

J.  W. 

Past  II  o'clock;  my  eyes  tho  to  appearance  well,  yet  so 
week  as  to  prevent  me  from  even  reading  or  correcting  this 
letter. 

Tell  Mr.  Sherbrooke  I  would  write  him  but  my  eyes 
prevent. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Broadway,  No.  25,  New  York. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

My  Dear  Brother: 

I  this  moment  set  off  for  Litchfield  and  hope  to  be  back 
tomorrow  night.  I  find  it  will  be  necessary  for  you  to  be 
here  on  Tuesday  next,  as  my  cause  is  then  fixt  for  trial. 
Perhaps  Wadsworth's  evidence  will  be  necessary  about 
buying  goods  for  me. 

I  must  prove  he  was  within  the  British  lines.  This  I 
cant  prove  here.  Atkinson  or  some  others  may  in  York. 
Be  here  with  all  necessaries  to  help  me.  Forget  not  the 
Congress  stuff. 

Your  affectionate  Brother, 

Jos.  WEBB. 

August  27th,  1789. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB      399 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  September  3,  1789. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  wish  for  the  evidence  of  Jonathan  Simpson,  Junior, 
being  within  the  lines  during  the  Warr.  Altho  every  one 
supposes  it,  yet  no  one  knows  it  or  has  seen  him.  It  must 
be  proof  positive  that  some  one  saw  him  within  the  lines. 
I  am  sorry  to  write  you  so  often  on  this  subject,  but  next 
week  the  affair  must  be  closed  for  or  against  me.  I  have 
had  no  letters  from  you  this  evening.  If  you  could  [call] 
some  one  from  Georgia  or  South  Carolina  to  evidence,  it 
might  be  well,  or  Quebec. 

Perhaps  you  might  get  a  few  thousands,  one,  two,  or  5, 
of  McCormic  for  a  short  time.  Early  dates  would  be 
best.  Colo.  Chester  begs  you  to  send  on  the  said  instru 
ments.  Pray  what's  become  of  Conklin  with  my  cloths? 
Mr.  Warren,  the  Bermudian,  says  you  talk  of  coming  to 
commencement.  Is  this  the  case?  Write  me  fully.  Yr 
Friend  and  Br., 

Jos.  WEBB. 

Pray  send  me  on  Stern's  Works  and  Gordon's  History. 
I  send  you  Hilldness'  Rect.  for  the  407  L[awful]  M[one]y. 
I  paid  for  the  books.  I  drank  tea  with  the  two  Miss 
Johnsons,  Dr.  Warren  and  Ths.  Chester  this  afternoon  at 
Colo.  Wadsworth.  The  frost  has  done  no  hurt  here 
abouts;  the  farmers  may  perhaps  tell  some  cock  and  bull 
story.  Take  care  and  keep  all  my  letters  secret  from  every 
eye.  Where  is  Mrs.  Green's  letter?  Mrs  Webb  is  anxious 
to  see  it.  Mrs.  Gr.  is  not  yet  arrived. 


4OO  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Sunday  Evening,  6th  September,  [1789.] 

Dear  Brother: 

I  should  have  wrote  you  immediately  on  my  return  from 
Salisbury,  but  being  in  expectation  of  seeing  you  prevented. 
But  this  day  our  mutual  friend  Paris,  Esqr.,  calling  on  us, 
I  thought  best  once  more  to  intrude  one  of  my  scralls 
upon  you.  The  two  Mr.  Johnsons  from  Stratford,  Mr. 
Verplanck  and  some  other  gentlemen  dined  and  spent  the 
day  with  us  this  day.  I  wish  to  God  I  could  say  that  I 
enjoy'd  company  as  I  once  did.  But  — . 

I  am  anxious  to  see  you  on  several  accounts,  and  I  will 
thank  you  to  let  me  know  when  you  think  it  probable  we 
shall  meet  in  this  place.  For  on  Tuesday  or  Wednesday 
my  intention  is  to  leave  this  for  the  farm  at  Coalchester, 
where  I  shall  continue  a  few  days.  I  am  surprised  that 
Mr.  Houston  does  not  forward  my  bridle  and  saddle.  I 
am  in  great  want  of  it.  Should  he  not  forward  it  soon  I 
shall  be  oblig'd  to  purchase  me  boath.  I  wish  you  would 
bring  some  powder  and  shott  with  you;  [of]  coarse  shott 
I  have  a  quantity.  I  am  with  compliments  to  all  friends 
your  affectionate  Brother, 

JOHN. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB.1 

I  wrote  you  the  two  last  posts;  therefore  I  have  no 
answer.     I  have  not  much  to  say. 

I  am  endeavoring  to  get  along  as  well  as  I  can.     I  make 

1  On  the  same  sheet. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY     WEBB  40! 

myself  tolerably  easy,  let  the  world  use  me  as  they  will.  I 
find  it's  the  only  way  to  get  along.  What  availeth  by 
fretting,  teasing,  scolding  and  all  these  cross  matters.  I 
live  and  enjoy  myself  with  all  the  crosses,  losses  and  ill 
fortune.  I  am  not  so  anxious  even  with  a  wife  and  seven 
children  as  some  others  without  any  connections.  Adieu. 
Adieu,  says  Yrs.  Sincerely, 

J.  w. 

Would  it  not  be  well  for  you  to  tell  Vanhorn,  Sherry? 
Denny  and  others,  that  I  will  so  act  that  I  cant  but  think 
they  will  love  me. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  25  Broadway,  New  York. 
Per  Mr.  Pariss. 


FROM  JAMES  DUYCKINCK. 

P.  LANDING,  7  September,  1789. 
Sir: 

The  long  neglect  on  your  side  for  the  settlement  of  the 
Accts.  with  the  estate  of  Richard  Bancker,  deceased,  has 
reduced  me  before  now  to  the  absolute  determination  of 
puting  the  accounts  in  the  hands  of  an  attorney;  but  the 
connections  of  family  and  friends  to  both  of  us  have  ad 
vised  to  indeavour  to  get  it  settled  in  a  friendly  way,  as 
the  law  would  be  of  means  of  creating  animossety  in  the 
family,  and  in  dead  would  seam  to  the  world  an  acct  of 
condemnation.  But  however  these  things  are  reduced 
with  me  to  an  absolute  determination  with  me.  You  have 
heretofore  sundry  times  promised  an  immediate  settle 
ment;  only  with  exceptions  of  a  week  or  two  at  one  time, 
and  on  your  hasttely  returning  from  Boston  at  an  other 


4O2  FAMILY     LETTERS 

time.  Near  three  years  has  since  relapts,  which  is  sufficent 
to  convince  me  you  dont  mean  to  does  these  matters  with 
out  thoes  unfriendly  measures  which  I  have  worne  out  my 
patience  to  avoid.  My  earnest  request  you  will  returne  me 
your  answer  in  what  mode  we  are  to  effect  this  settlement. 
I  imbrace  the  opportunity  of  sending  this  by  Mr.  John 
Duyckinck,  and  hope  you  will  use  the  same  conveyance  to 
me  at  his  return.  Am  Sir  your  Most  Humble  Servt. 

JAMES  DUYCKINCK. 

Endorsed:  Reed  10  Sept.  James  Duyckinck's  Letter,  Brunswick, 
7th  Sept.  1789;  to  which  I  returned  a  verbal  answer  by  his  brother 
John,  that  I  ever  had  been  ready  to  examine  any  accounts  he  should 
produce,  but  was  not  administrator  to  Mrs.  Sarah  Bancker,  dec'd. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Sept.  loth,  1789. 
DearBr: 

Our  Court  has  this  day  broke  up.  Simpson's  affair  are 
put  off  untill  March.  I  thot  it  my  duty  to  let  you  know 
this,  to  make  your  arrangements  about  coming  to  Connecti 
cut.  I  think  my  affairs  in  that  department  stand  well.  As 
to  A[lsop],  all  remains  uncertain.  What  ought  I  to  do.  Is 
it  necessary  for  me  to  write  to  A[lsop],  or  to  K[ing]?  I 
never  shall  make  him  another  offer.  Mrs.  Greene  is  now 
at  table  in  fine  spirits;  so  is  Edwards,  who  is  my  staunch 
friend.  I  have  wrote  you  several  letters  since  I  have  had 
an  answer.  I  am  yours  sincerely, 

J.  WEBB. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        403 

FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  iyth  September,  1789. 
Dear  Brother: 

On  my  return  last  evening  from  the  farm  at  Coalchester 
I  saw  your  letter  to  my  brother  and  self.  I  thank  you  for 
your  attention  to  my  affairs.  I  wish  also  you  would  send 
one  my  blankets  and  mattress  with  the  saddle  and  bridle, 
as  we  are  in  want  of  blankets.  Since  writing  the  above 
Colo.  Chester  has  returned  from  Hartford,  where  he  went 
to  leave  our  friend  and  brother  in  Goal,  and  this  night  a 
horrid  and  disagreeable  Prison  confines  a  man  who  has  been 
to  to  generous  to  all  mankind.  I  hope  it  will  not  be  long 
before  his  situation  is  altered.  Here  I  am  with  a  family  of 
eleven  children,  who  look  up  to  me  to  protect  them,  with 
a  most  heavenly  woman  at  their  head.  Judge  of  our  feel 
ings,  and  you  may  in  some  degree  see  what  pleasure  I  have 
taken  since  my  return  here.  I  am  not  in  any  situation  to 
write  this  evening.  I  hope  and  expect  that  it  will  not  be 
long  before  you  come,  for  there  are  many  and  waity  reasons 
why  you  should  be  here,  not  only  on  his  account  but  on 
your  own.  Should  it  be  in  your  power  to  send  a  few 
pounds  of  tea  to  our  good  sister  I  wish  you  would.  Be  so 
good  as  to  pay  attention  to  my  letters  that  arrive  from 
Georgia.  Perhaps  you  had  better  write  Seagrove;  he  may 
by  that  be  induced  to  make  some  remittances.  The 
family  desire  their  love  to  you  and  Aunt  Polly.  Excuse 
this  hasty  scrall,  and  believe  me  to  be  with  unalterable 
esteem  and  Your  Brother, 

JOHN  W. 

Addressed:    General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York.     Per  Stage. 


404  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

HARTFORD,  I7th  September,  1789. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

This  acknowledges  the  receipt  of  yours  directed  to  Br. 
Jack  and  me.  I  am  now  close  confined  in  Gaol  by  Mr. 
Alsop.  Make  yourself  easy.  I  am  as  happy  as  a  poor 
unfortunate  jailbird  can  be.  I  have  mustered  all  the  reso 
lution  I  am  master  of,  and  my  friends  are  surprised  to  see 
me  behave  so  well.  But  it's  a  jail,  and  it's  confinement. 
I  am  resolved  to  what  I  shall  not  say  anything  about  on 
paper.  All  my  anxiety  is  for  your  poor  unfortunate  sister 
and  family.  I  however  trust  all  is  for  the  best.  I  think 
it  will  be  well  for  you  to  acquaint  Messrs.  Sherbrooke, 
Vanhorn  [and]  Denning.  A[lsop]  has  shot  his  foolish  bolt. 
I  wish  not  to  say  too  much  until  some  opportunity  offers. 
I  will  let  some  one  call  on  you  and  acquaint  you  with  all. 
Bacon  will  call  and  pay  Brower.  If  you  can  conveniently 
send  some  little  ale  to  your  sister  it  will  please  much. 
Flour  is  plenty  with  us.  I  shall  say  but  little  at  present 
but  I  trust  all  is  for  the  best.  What's  to  be  done  I  know 
not,  but  the  upright  honest  merchant  shall  be  my  theme. 
I  am,  Dear  Brother,  Your  most  afft  friend, 

J.  W. 

HARTFORD  GAOL,  Thursday  Evening. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  29th  September,  1789. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  am  happy  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  tell  you  that  our 
brother  has  kept  up  his  spirits  much  better  than  I  had  any 
idea  of.  I  have  done  everything  to  make  him  comfortable. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        405 

Also  to  render  his  family  happy.  In  one  of  my  last  letters 
to  you  I  requested  you  to  send  them  a  few  pounds  of  tea 
and  sugar.  I  wish  you  to  by  Capt.  Richard  Bacon;  also 
to  send  all  of  my  things  that  I  left  at  your  house,  such  as 
my  pistols,  gun,  shott,  mattrass,  blankets  and  portmanteau, 
and  shoe  brushes.  The  blankets  we  are  in  great  want  of. 
Neither  my  sister  nor  brother  wish  you  to  sacrifice  your 
prospects  to  them;  they  are  comfortable  at  present,  and 
I  shall  make  it  my  study  to  render  them  every  service  in 
my  power.  I  am  obliged  to  go  to  Hartford  almost  every 
day,  and  am  obliged  to  borrow  a  bridle  and  saddle.  I 
wish  you  to  send  mine  and  the  bitts  that  James  McEvers 
has  given  you  an  order  for,  for  our  brother.  I  expected 
in  every  paper  to  see  your  name,  and  that  you  had  obtained 
some  office;  but  the  favors  of  men  in  power  a[re]  very  un-- 
certain.  I  wish  you  to  send  six  or  eight  pounds  of  the 
powder  you  sent  a  sammple  off,  also  a  few  pounds  of  Bird 
shott.  The  taxes  on  your  Glastonbury  bond  I  have  paid. 
Sister  requests  me  to  give  her  love  to  you  and  Aunt  Polly; 
the  children  join,  who  often  ask  after  you.  I  am  con 
vinced  that  it's  for  the  best  that  our  brother  has  taken  the 
step  he  has.  We  are  reconciled  to  it.  Think  it  for  the 
best;  tho'  you  can  have  no  idea  how  much  we  have  felt  on 
the  occasion.  But  Mrs.  W[ebb],  with  her  usual  propriety 
of  conduct,  has  in  this  instance  kept  her  spirits  to  a  charm. 
Consider  a  man  who  through  life  who  has  lived  in  afluance, 
to  be  confined  in  a  Durty  Gaol.  Put  ourselves  in  a  similar 
situation,  then  perhaps  we  may  judge.  He  keeps  his 
spirits  up  and  our  friends  have  been  very  attentive.  He 
has  constantly  some  one  friend  with  him.  Was  the  place 
in  any  respect  equal  to  our  worthy  friend  Lotts,  I  should 
not  so  much  care;  but  the  winter  I  fear,  as  the  place  must 


406  FAMILY     LETTERS 

be  cold  and  disagreeable.  He  sincerely  thanks  Colo. 
Livingstone  for  his  letter.  Excuse  this  scrall,  and  rest 
assured  that  no  one  loves  and  esteems  you  more  than  your 
affectionate  Brother, 

JOHN. 

P.  S.  I  wish  you  to  send  me  a  dogg  by  Richard  Bacon. 
Perhaps  Coll.  Smith  will  give  you  one  of  his  Newfoundland 
pups. 


To  COLONEL  FISHBURN. 

NEW  YORK,  29th  September,  1789. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  received  yours  of  this  morning's  date,  and  have 
to  observe  I  am  totally  ignorant  of  my  brother's  affairs 
in  Georgia.  If  he  owes  money  I  presume  it  is  oweing  to 
some  disappointment  of  his  friends  there,  as  he  usually 
has  been  strictly  punctual.  By  Major  Sumner  there  was 
a  letter  addressed  to  him,  you  say  from  Mr.  Pinman.  I 
have  forwarded  it  to  him,  and  two  others  in  the  same  hand 
writing  which  were  left  at  my  house  while  I  was  in  the 
northern  country,  and  probably  had  been  here  from  two 
to  three  months.  I  will  write  him  on  the  subject  tomor 
row's  post,  and  I  know  him  so  well  that  you  may  assure 
Mr.  Pinman  that  if  there  is  moneys  due  him,  it  has  been 
oweing  to  accident  and  not  design  that  he  has  not  been 
paid;  for  when  my  Brother  left  me  in  May  last  he  was  in 
expectations  of  considerable  remittances  from  Georgia. 

Had  I  the  sum  you  want  to  spare  without  great  incon 
venience  I  should  take  a  pleasure  in  obliging  you;  but  at 
present  tis  not  in  my  power.  Your  friends  Genl.  Matthews 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB         407 

and  Jackson  1  have  this  day  received  upwards  of  1,000 
dollars.  I  dare  say  they  can  without  inconvenience  supply 
you.  I  am,  dear  sir,  Your  most  Obed  Servt, 

SAML.  B.  WEBB. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

HARTFORD  PRISON,  Wensday  Evening, 

October  7th,  1789. 
Dear  Brother: 

Mr.  Joseph  Bull  has  just  called  upon  me  and  says  he's 
going  to  New  York  in  the  morning;  and  as  it's  a  private 
opportunity,  altho  you  have  not  wrote  me  since  my  im 
prisonment  which  was  on  the  iyth  of  September,  and 
further  I  wrote  you  yesterday  by  Charles  Hopkins,  yet 
I  doubt  not  your  friendship  and  tender  feelings. 

I  am  happy  and  supplied  with  all  my  wants  except  my 
liberty;  for  particulars  I  refer  you  to  Hopkins  and  Bull. 
I  shall  do  nothing  in  a  hurry.  I  shall  take  my  own  time  as 
to  giving  all  up,  as  Colo.  W[adsworth]  and  some  friends 
wish.  At  present,  between  ourselves,  I  have  far  other 
views,  and  very  honorable  ones,  as  Jos.  B[arrell]  can  tell 
you.  He's  my  friend,  so  is  Amos  B[ull].  Colo.  Chester 
behaves  to  a  charm.  Write  Mrs.  W[ebb]  once  and  awhile; 
it  will  not  be  amiss.  Where  is  my  G—  —  ?  why  does 
she  neglect  writing?  What  says  Sherbrook,  Vanhorn,  and 
the  rest?  I  am  in  haste  all  you  wish  as  to  love  and 
affection. 

WEBB. 


1  George  Matthews  and  James  Jackson,  both  members  of  Congress 
from  Georgia. 


408  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

HARTFORD  PRISON,  2Oth  October,  1789. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  have  almost  resolved  to  neglect  writing  you  untill  I 
have  a  letter  from  you.  Can  any  one  believe  that  my 
fond,  tender,  affectionate  Brother  should  neglect  writing 
me  during  a  five  weeks  imprisonment?  So  it  is;  I  declare 
I  have  not  received  one  line  from  you.  I  have  received  a 
line  from  our  friend  Wm.  Denning;  it's  a  queer  kind  of  a 
thing,  but  upon  the  whole  its  well  meant,  and  I  will  answer 
it  when  I  have  leisure;  but  I  am  now  cautious.  I  must 
write  but  little,  and  that  with  prudence  and  attention.  I 
have  now  your  sister  Webb  seting  by,  and  I  have  to  tell 
you  I  have  fixt  up  two  chambers  that  are  pleasant  and 
agreeably  situated.  Yet,  my  Brother,  it's  a  prison,  and  a 
place  I  do  not  deserve.  Jemmy  McEvers  is  in  town  and 
has  visited  me  every  day.  The  President  arrived  in  town 
last  evening,  and  put  up  at  Fred  Bull,  and  goes  out  quite 
early  in  the  morning.  He  was  met  at  Wethersfield  by  the 
light  horse  from  Hartford  and  a  large  concourse  of  people; 
in  short  he  has  been  paid  much  attention  for  Connecticut 
people.1 

Write  me  fully  the  news  and  what  you  think  will  cheer  a 
prisoner.  Have  I  told  you  in. all  my  letters,  or  any  one, 
that  Colo.  Chester  from  the  first  of  my  affair  with  Alsop 
he  [has]  behaved  the  brother  and  friend.  He  is  a  fine 
fellow.  Joseph  Barrell  writes  me  that  Silas  Dfeane]  is 
expected  every  hour  in  Capt.  Colahan.  When  is  Duke 

1  "At  Weathersfield  we  were  met  by  a  party  of  the  Hartford  Light 
Horse,  and  a  number  of  Gentlemen  from  the  same  place  with  Colo. 
Wadsworth  at  their  head,  and  escorted  to  Bull's  Tavern,  where  we 
lodged.  "Washington's  Diary." 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        409 

Humphrey  expected  back?  Where  is  Mrs.  Greene?  What 
shall  I  do  with  General  Moylan?  1  What  says  K[ing], 
A[lsop],  &c?  However  I  ask  these  questions,  and  wish  to 
be  gratified.  I  know  it's  with  difficulty  you  can  answer 
them  all.  I  am  with  every  sentiment  of  esteem  love  and 
regard  Your  affectionate  Brother, 

Jos.  WEBB. 

Tuesday  Evening. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Sunday,  25th  October,  1789. 
Dear  Brother: 

On  my  return  from  Coalchester  I  received  your  letter, 
and  immediately  sent  it  to  our  brother  at  Hartford.  I  am 
almost  discouraged  of  ever  seeing  you  here,  but  I  hope 
that  you  will  not  put  it  of  much  longer.  If  you  should, 
perhaps  at  a  future  period  you  might  have  reason  to  regret 
the  neglect.  I  must  confess  that  I  am  about  discouraged, 
so  much  so  that  I  am  determined  soon  to  change  my  present 
situation.  You  can  have  no  idea  how  very  disagreeable 
I  am  situated.  In  short  it  will  not  be  in  my  power  to 
afford  the  frequent  supplies  I  have  done.  Will  not  A[lsop] 
offer  some  terms  with  the  rest,  for  at  present  they  are  in- 
jureing  themselves  as  well  as  him. 

Sister  W[ebb]  thanks  you  very  much  for  your  friendly 
condolence,  and  should  be  very  happy  to  see  you.  Re 
quest  you  to  remember  her  to  Aunt  Polly,  who  she  and 

1  Stephen  Moylan  was  an  Irishman  who  settled  in  Philadelphia 
and  joined  the  Continental  army  in  the  first  year  of  the  war.  He 
served  as  aide  de  camp  to  Washington,  and  later  commanded  a  regi 
ment  of  cavalry.  He  became  brevet  Brigadier  General,  September  30, 
1783. 


4-IO  FAMILY     LETTERS 

the  family  do  not  forget.  I  thank  you  when  you  ship  the 
things  of  mine,  if  you  will  send  everything,  the  shoe  brushes 
with  the  rest.  Have  you  wrote  or  heard  from  Seagrove? 
Its  very  singular  that  I  have  never  had  a  line  from  him. 
Have  you  heard  of  or  seen  Major  John  Burrows?  He  was 
my  friend,  and  I  left  in  his  hands  a  protested  Bill  of 
£250.  o.  o  sterling.  The  family  have  been  very  unwell,  as 
has  my  brother  who  has  been  confined  to  his  bed.  Should 
you  see  our  worthy  friend  Mr.  A.  Lott  and  family,  please  to 
remember  me  to  them.  I  thank  you  for  the  offer  of  the 
powder;  it  will  come  very  acceptable.  Should  you  no  of 
any  opportunity  to  Georgia  be  good  enough  to  inform  me. 
Excuse  this  hasty  scrall,  and  believe  me  to  be  with  sincere 
Esteem  and  affection  your  brother, 

JNO.  W. 

Addressed^   General  Saml.  B.  Webb,  New  York.    Honored  by  Mr. 
Denning. 


FROM  HENRY  IZARD. 
Dear  Sir: 

It  is  with  the  highest  degree  of  satisfaction  that  I  have 
it  in  my  power  to  inform  you,  that  I  shall  not  be  under  the 
necessity  of  making  use  of  your  obliging  note.  Mr.  Mc- 
Comb  has  had  a  meeting  with  the  managers  and,  after 
much  discussion,  they  have  agreed  to  let  me  have  a  ticket 
whenever  I  please.  At  the  same  time  I  take  this  oppor 
tunity  of  professing  myself  not  less  obliged  to  you  on  that 
account  for  your  singular  politeness.  I  am,  Dear  Sir, 
your  Friend  and  very  humble  Servt. 

H.  IZARD. 

Thursday,  29th  October,  1789. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEY   WEBB  4!  I 

FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  6th  December,  1789. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

I  received  your  friendly  letter  of  the  22nd  November. 
The  bridle  and  saddle  with  the  blankets  came  safe  to  hand. 
I  thank  you  for  sending  them;  also  in  sending  the  things  by 
Capt.  Barnard,  who  has  not  as  yet  arrived.  The  seen  with 
S[ilas]  D[eane]  is  closed,  and  from  the  want  of  attention  to 
our  matters  with  him  our  attachments  are  losst.  I  have 
been  with  Mr.  John  Trumbull,  our  Council,  who  advises 
us  to  bring  a  Petition  to  the  House  of  Assembly,  praying 
that  the  lands  absolutely  received  for  my  or  our  Father's 
debts  may  be  given  to  us,  and  said  he  has  not  a  doubt  but 
the  Petition  will  be  granted.  We  must  have  you  here,  as 
Trumbull  and  [Pierrepont]  Edwards  will  want  to  see  us 
previous  to  presenting  the  Petition.  To  give  you  any 
idea  of  our  situation  without  our  worthy  brother  will  be 
needless,  as  you  can  judge.  I  pity  our  worthy  sister  and 
children.  Can  any  feeling  person  wish  to  confine  a  man 
who  wishes  to  do  justice  from  his  amiable  family?  Could 
they  see  them,  I  am  shure  the  seen  would  be  altered.  Is 
there  any  prospect  of  a  change? 

Tomorrow  or  on  Monday  I  leave  this  with  the  stock  for 
my  vessell  for  New  London,  which  is  bound  to  the  West 
Indies.  I  expect  to  return  here  by  Thursday. 

My  sister  with  the  children  desire  their  love  to  you  and 
Aunt  Jay.  They  wish  very  much  to  see  you  boath. 

On  your  way  here  you  had  better  call  on  Mr.  Edwards, 
who  is  our  friend  and  has  some  friends  in  the  house  of  As 
sembly.  I  thank  Coll.  Smith  and  you  for  the  dog,  and 
will  pay  him  greater  attention  for  the  giver's  sake. 


412  FAMILY    LETTERS 

May  perfect  happiness  here  and  hereafter  be  your  Lott, 
sais  your  affectionate  Brother,  JOHN  WEBB. 


FROM  RICHARD  PLATT. 

T-X         c.  NEW  YORK,  December  27th,  1789. 

Dear  Sir: 

I  am  favored  with  yours  of  the  i6th  covering  Mr.  Bar- 
rell's  proposals,  which  are  inadmis sable,  and  likewise  with 
yours  of  the  2Oth,  in  which  you  hold  out  some  idea  of  stay 
ing  in  Boston  till  the  3ist  instant,  in  order  to  have  my 
answer  to  the  proposals  above  mentioned.  This  I  confess 
embarrasses  me,  because  I  have  engagements  here  which 
require  a  remittance  of  my  money  at  an  earlier  period  than 
that  arrangement  will  produce;  and  another  mortifying 
consideration  is,  that  you  and  Mr.  B[arrell]  should  think 
me  so  much  in  want  of  capital  as  to  submit  to  a  loss  of 
4000  dollars  douceur,  in  order  to  embrace  it.  In  answer 
to  which  I  have  to  say  that  notwithstanding  many  unfore 
seen  difficulties  and  disappointments  from  abroad,  yet  I  am 
able  to  comply  with  my  engagements.  I  asked  of  you  to 
state  to  Mr.  B.  the  very  precarious  ground  I  stood  on  with 
respect  to  the  return  of  my  certificates  by  Mr.  Jefferson  in 
season  to  return  his  loan,  from  which  I  hoped  that  overtures 
would  have  come  from  him,  assuring,  me  that  in  case  of  a 
failure  of  delivery  on  the  day,  no  advantage  would  be 
taken  of  it;  and  you  may  well  remember  in  order  to  qualify 
this,  I  told  you  in  my  last  words  on  the  Crane  wharfe, 
44 that  if  I  should  be  fortunate  enough  to  receive  my  cer 
tificates  from  J.  any  time  before  the  period  limited  for  a 
return,  I  would  transmit  him  [Mr.  B.]  immediately." 
This  I  imagined  would  look  so  much  like  a  reciprocity  of 
accommodation,  as  readily  to  produce  an  equal  return. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        413 

But  no  mention  being  made  of  any  kind  of  accommodation 
on  the  part  of  Mr.  B.  thro  you,  it  would  seem  to  result 
(tho'  I  have  too  favourable  an  opinion  of  the  honor  and 
virtue  of  Mr.  B.  to  exact  an  advantage)  that  I  was  held  to  a 
Bank  engagement,  thereby  restricted  to  a  day,  and  in  case 
of  non-punctuality,  posted  for  a  delinquent.  To  avoid 
therefore  any  possibility  of  endangering  a  reputation  very 
dear  to  me,  no  small  sacrifices  have  been  made,  and  prob 
ably  many  disagreeable  sensations  felt. 

Now  then  I  have  to  thank  Mr.  B.  for  an  extension  of  con 
fidence  in  Mr.  C.  and  R.  P.  to  lend  us  100,000  dollars,  which 
at  io/  is  certainly  a  serious  thing,  and  to  you  I  am  indebted 
for  your  attention  and  zeal  for  our  supposed  interest.  I  am 
sorry  the  fates  have  so  ordained  that  my  money  could  not 
have  been  appropriated,  but  this  I  attribute  to  the  rage, 
and  not  to  the  want  of  skill  or  exertion  on  your  part.  On 
the  contrary  I  am  persuaded  of  everything  practicable  be 
ing  done. 

I  wish  you  the  compliments  of  the  season  and  a  safe 
and  speedy  return,  and  am,  Dr  Sir,  Your  friend  and  obedt 
Servt,  RICHARD  PLATT. 

Endorsed:  In  the  absence  of  Gen'l  Webb,  Mr.  Joseph  Barrell  will 
please  to  receive  this  letter. 

Addressed:  General  Sam'l  B.  Webb,  Boston.    Post. 


TOASTS. 

[1789?] 

1  The  President  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

2  The  Vice  President  of  the  United  States  of  America. 
3d   The  Federal  Judiciary. 


414  FAMILY     LETTERS 

4th   The  Senate  of  the  United  States. 

5th  The  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
United  States. 

6th   The  late  Federal  Convention. 

7th  The  Constitution  of  our  country,  may  it  prove  the 
solid  fabrick  of  American  Liberty,  prosperity,  and  glory. 

8th  The  memory  of  those  Heroes  who  fell  in  the  defence 
of  the  liberties  of  America. 

9th  His  Most  Christian  Majesty  and  the  People  of 
France. 

loth  Their  High  Mightinesses,  the  States  General  of 
the  United  Netherlands. 

nth  The  Friendly  Powers  of  Europe  and  the  friends  of 
Liberty  throughout  the  Globe. 

12  May  the  Blessings  of  Peace  be  long  the  happy  lot  of 
our  country,  and  every  Citizen  of  America  feel  himself 
deeply  interested  in  the  due  execution  of  the  laws  of  the 
Union. 

1 3th  The  rights  and  powers  of  the  Grand  Jurors,  may 
they  ever  be  held  sacred.1 


FROM  RICHARD  PLATT. 

NEW  YORK,  January  14,  1790. 
Dear  General: 

I  give  you  a  letter  to  Matthew  McConnell,  and  one  to 
Mr.  Robert  Smith,  merchant  in  Philadelphia,  both  open 
for  your  perusal,  which  you  will  seal  and  deliver.  And  I 
put  into  your  hands  Alexander  Robertson's  order  on  said 
Mr.  Smith  for  two  notes  of  Matthew  McConnell's  in  his 


1  The  last  toast  alone  is  in  the  writing  of  Webb. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        415 

hands,  vizt.  one  for  1599.  9.  9  payable  on  the  i6th  January 
instant,  another  for  1404  .17.4  payable  on  the  1 7th  February 
next;  and  also  a  draft  on  Mr.  Robert  Smith  for  823.  12.  n, 
which  you  will  please  to  give  him,  as  he  has  generously  given 
his  note  for  the  same  amount  to  Mr.  McConnell,  and  my 
wish  is  to  accommodate  McConnell  in  the  payment  of  his 
first  note,  which  will  be  due  by  the  time  you  get  to  Phila 
delphia,  in  the  following  manner,  vizt.  let  him  deduct  out 
of  it  any  balance  I  owe  him  in  account,  and  likewise  for 
his  assumption  or  note  for  me  for  396.  2.  4,  and  afterwards 
he  can  pay  you  what  money  is  convenient  (or  in  Indents  @ 
6/3  or  at  6/6,  if  he  has  not  before  purchased  for  this  note) 
to  him,  and  then  remit  me  either  in  cash  or  indents  in  some 
days  afterwards;  or  in  other  words,  let  me  tell  you  my 
idea  is  to  accommodate  him  in  the  way  most  ob/liging  to  him, 
and  corresponding  with  the  terms  in  my  letter  to  him,  both 
for  the  first  and  second  of  his  notes. 

You  have  eight  thousand  four  hundred  and  twenty-one 
dollars  of  finals  given  to  you,  which  you  will  please  to  sell 
at  from  9/  to  io/  cash,  or  exchange  for  indents;  say  give 
them,  i.  e.  finals  as  above,  and  receive  indents  at  6/  or  7/, 
making  3/  difference  in  the  prices.  I  am  yours,  &c. 

RICHARD  PLATT. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

Sunday  Morning,  28th  February,  1790. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  think  of  all  the  springs  I  ever  met  with  in  my  life  I 
never  knew  the  roads  so  bad  as  this.  More  than  ten  days 
last  past  since  I  have  seen  my  Dear  Partner,  the  roads  are 
almost  impassable.  I  now  send  you  a  salmon  that  weighs 


416  FAMILY     LETTERS 

28  lb.  I  hope  it  will  arrive  safe  and  in  good  order.  I  never 
saw  a  finer  looking  one.  They  are  scarce  and  not  to  be  got; 
but  an  honest  country  fellow  came  from  Wright's  Island, 
and  brot  it  on  purpose.  He  said  to  oblige  an  old  friend, 
take  this  with  you.  He  made  me  pay  for  every  ounce.  I 
hope  it  will  come  in  due  season  to  give  you  pleasure. 
Wadsworth  called  on  me  several  times.  I  expected  he 
would  have  called  again.  I  am  chagrined  he  did  not;  but 
I  am  now  used  to  disappointments.  One  thing  I  wish; 
collect  his  sentiments  and  let  me  hear  from  you,  good  or 
bad.  I  am  prepared  to  be  calm  and  easy;  it's  almost  out  of 
their  power  to  ruffle  me  any  more.  I  should  be  glad  in  my 
retreat  and  lonely  situation  to  read  Dr.  Gordon.  Can  you 
send  it  me.  What  shall  I  do  with  General  Moylan?  Will 
it,  my  Brother,  do  to  sue  so  clever  a  fellow?  I  have  wrote 
you  so  many  letters  that  have  not  been  answered,  I  hardly 
know  what  to  write.  I  am,  Dear  Brother,  wishing  you 
health  and  happiness,  Your  affectionate  Br. 

J.  WEBB. 

Have  I  told  you  Humphrey  settled  with  me.  Mrs. 
W[ebb]  is  intirely  without  a  carpet  for  either  front  room. 
What  one  would  you  advise  me  to  buy?  Will  it  do  to  send 
some  money  and  buy  a  second  hand  one  at  vendue?  Where 
is  our  friend  Majr.  Haskell?  Brother  Jack  thinks  of  going 
out  to  St.  Kitts.  I  think  he  will  do  well  to  go.  He  showed 
me  your  letter  about  Grandfather  Webb.1  I  have  been 
uneasy  a  long  while,  for  fear  the  old  gentleman  will  die  in 
possession  of  the  estate,  and  it  may  be  forfitied.  I  have 

1  Joseph  Webb,  born  1700.  He  married  for  his  first  wife  Sarah 
Blachley  and  had  one  son  Joseph  —  the  father  of  Samuel  Blachley 
Webb.  He  died  sometime  in  1791. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        417 

taken  advice  and  the  best  counsel  I  can  get  say,  as  it  was 
left  in  his  hands  for  his  support,  we  need  not  fear.  If 
anything  new  turns  up  advise  me,  and  I  can  do  the  needful. 
Pray  write  me  the  situation  of  my  affairs  in  the  hands  of 
your  attornies,  of  Colo.  Burr,  &c.  I  much  wish  for  the 
copy  of  Dr.  Jones  demand  against  me  on  Phil  Livingston 
debt.  I  suppose  I  owe  nothing,  but  send  me  the  necessary. 
I  sometimes  get  low  spirited,  but  most  of  the  time  I  am 
cheerful  and  happy.  At  times  I  wish  I  was  at  some  dis 
tance  with  my  family,  and  that  all  the  rest  of  the  world 
would  forget  there  was  ever  such  a  person  as  Jos.  W. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Broadway  No.  25,  New  York. 
With  a  Box  containing  a  Salmon,  Wt.  28  Ibs. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Sunday,  28th  February,  1790. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  wrote  you  two  letters  lately,  one  by  a  Mr.  Hopkins, 
the  other  by  a  stranger.  As  I  had  nothing  of  any  conse 
quence  to  write  you,  I  thought  I  would  not  trouble  you 
with  paying  postage.  That  is  the  case  at  this  time.  But 
I  suppose  it  must  be  a  satisfaction  to  tell  you  the  family 
are  all  in  health  and  in  tolerable  spirits.  Mrs.  W[ebb]  and 
the  children  desire  to  be  remembered  to  you.  Is  there  a 
probability  of  my  brother's  having  any  terms  offered  him 
from  his  credittors?  It's  impossible  that  he  can  do  any 
thing  towards  settling  his  matters  while  in  prison,  for  there 
are  many  that  will  not  go  to  a  prison  to  settle  accounts; 
then  if  he  sues  them,  they  bring  in  account  against  Silas 
Deane  and  say,  that  my  brother  told  them  that  he  would 


418  FAMILYLETTERS 

pay  them,  by  which  means  he  has  lost  lately  to  a  very  great 
amount.  And  he  is  losing  footing  with  the  courts.  They 
think  his  being  kept  there  is  from  some  fraudulent  conduct. 
In  short  if  they  keep  him  there  much  longer  I  am  afraid  it 
will  be  boath  an  injury  to  them  and  himself.  It's  their 
interest  that  he  should  be  let  out  of  prison.  We  shall  in 
evitably  lose  all  our  hold  on  Silas  Deane's  matters  if  some 
one  does  not  pay  attention  to  them.  Is  there  a  probability 
of  your  comeing  up  before  the  sitting  of  the  General  Assem 
bly?  Trumbull  advises  that  we  should  bring  a  petition  to 
the  House,  praying  that  the  lands  and  property  absolutely 
taken  for  bonifide  debts  of  my  father  might  be  vested  in  us 
the  heirs.  Excuse  this  scrall.  How  are  publick  securities? 
Believe  me  to  be  with  sincere  affection  and  esteem  your 
affectionate  Brother, 

JOHN. 


FROM  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH. 

HARTFORD,  March  17th,  1790. 
Dear  Sir: 

As  the  Lottery  is  to  begin  drawing  on  Monday  after 
next,  I  will  thank  you  to  send  the  tickets  unsold  by  next 
post  under  cover  to  Mr.  Deane.  Mr*  Trumbull  will  frank 
them. 

I  am,  Dear  Sir,  Your  very  H.  Servt., 

JERE.  WADSWORTH. 

P.  S.  I  spent  an  hour  with  your  brother  this  day,  and 
Mrs.  Webb  is  now  with  us  very  well. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        419 

FROM  MATTHEW  McCoNNELL. 

PHILADELPHIA,  2Oth  May,  1790. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  wrote  you  by  a  trusty  person  who  went  in  the  early 
stage  this  morning,  and  sent  by  him  8,511  dollars  final 
settlements,  with  interest  due  on  them  2065  dollars.  These 
will  be  delivered  this  evening  or  early  tomorrow  morning, 
and  I  requested  you  to  hold  them  in  case  you  thought  they 
would  rise,  but  to  sell  for  the  highest  cash  price  if  you  be 
lieved  they  would  fall.  Since  that  I  was  asked  for  a  bill 
on  New  York  at  sight  for  three  thousand  dollars,  and  have 
drawn  on  you  accordingly  for  that  sum  in  favor  of  Wm. 
Backhouse  and  Wm.  Laight.  Now  observe,  if  you  have 
remitted  me  for  the  bills  on  LeRoy  &  Son  you  must  sell  as 
many  of  the  above  certificates  for  the  most  they  will  bring 
as  will  pay  my  draft;  or  if  accident  should  prevent  mine 
reaching  you  in  time,  sell  as  many  of  your  own  and  I  will 
replace  them.  I  should  like  the  bill  paid  without  the  usual 
grace,  but  in  this  you  must  be  governed  by  circumstances. 
I  am,  Dear  Sir, 

MAT  MCCONNELL. 


FROM  MATTHEW  McCoNNELL. 

PHILADELPHIA,  3Oth  May,  1790. 
Dear  Sir: 

This  I  expect  will  find  you  at  home,  and  from  the  tenor 
of  your  last  and  the  favourable  circumstances  that  have 
been  ever  since  taking  place  with  regard  to  the  funding 
bill,  I  take  it  for  granted  my  certificates  are  still  on  hand 
and  likely  to  remain  so.  This,  with  about  15,000  I  bought 
in  the  beginning  of  last  week,  I  consider  a  piece  of  good 


42O  FAMILY     LETTERS 

fortune;  but  on  the  other  hand  I  have  been  confined  with 
the  prevailing  disorder  for  several  days.  If  you  could  take 
the  trouble  to  have  the  certificates  registered  I  would  like 
it.  Also  let  me  know  what  alterations,  if  any,  are  likely 
to  be  made  in  the  bill  in  the  Senate,  and  the  prospect  of 
the  State  debts  in  a  separate  bill.  I  am,  Dear  Sir,  Your 
Hbl.  Servt. 

MAT.  McCoNNELL. 

Addressed:   General  S.  B.  Webb  or  Col.  Richd.  Platt,  New  York. 


FROM  WILLIAM  POPHAM. 

WEST  CHESTER,  August  gth,  1790. 
Dear  Sir: 

Enclosed  you  have  the  Judge  of  Probates'  order  for  the 
sale  of  the  lands. 

Any  assistance  I  can  give  you  in  the  prosecution  of  this 
business  I  shall  be  happy  to  afford  you.     I  am  yours  etc. 

W.  POPHAM. 


FROM  JAMES  STEWART. 

NEW  YORK,  September  nth,  1790. 
Kind  Sir: 

I  received  your  favour  of  the  6th  instant  the  9th,  or  I 
should  have  answered  you  by  post,  and  on  inquire  I  found 
that  Capt.  Hathaway  had  sailed  the  evening  before.  You 
may  be  asured  that  I  will  send  you  the  sample  of  wine  by 
the  first  opertunity.  I  am  extreemly  sorry  that  the  cask 
has  hurt  the  wine;  to  prevent  which  in  cleaning  it  I  would 
not  trust  to  my  servent,  but  did  it  myself,  and  burnt 
brandy  in  it,  which  you  know  yourself  I  tooke  all  the  care 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        421 

that  was  in  my  power.  If  you  have  it  drawing  of  amedietly 
in  the  air  into  a  sweet  cask  or  demijohn,  and  stand  it  oping 
[open]  in  the  sun  it  will  recover  its  purity.  I  hope  my  good 
intentions  knowing  by  you  will  plead  my  excuse  with  your 
friends.  I  inclose  you  the  ten  tickets  you  requested,  and 
wish  you  success  with  them. 

I  cannot  finde  a  tool  chest  that  is  large  anough  for  the 
mony  thay  ask,  but  shall  make  further  inquire  without 
you  say  send  the  one  I  mentioned  to  you  at  eight  pounds. 
I  am,  Kind  Sir,  Yr.  Humb  Servt., 

JAMES  STEWART. 

Addressed:  Sam'l.  B.  Webb,  Esqr.  Claverack.  To  care  Elihu  C. 
Goodrich,  Esqr.  Postmaster. 


FROM  STEPHEN  HoGEBOOM.1 

[CLAVERACK,  October  21,  1790.] 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  received  from  Caty  the  bad  news  of  the  price  of 
wheat,  but  have  since  understood  that  it  is  risen  to  7/.  I 
hope  it  will  find  a  price  and  not  be  so  fluctuating,  that  we 
might  be  more  properly  directed  to  purchase  here.  I  send 
you  inclosed  a  kind  of  a  certificate  to  Colo.  Holdridge.  He 
wants  to  purchase  my  pair  of  little  bay  horses  and  pay  me 
out  of  it  when  properly  obtained.  This  you  are  better 
acquainted  with,  and  therefore  would  wish  you  to  write  me 
what  manner  this  may  be  made  sure  to  me,  for  I  conceive 
Colo.  Holdridge  but  in  poor  circumstances. 

I  shall  want  another  quarter  cask  of  cherry  wine,  if  not 

1  Judge  Hogeboom,  who  married  Hellitie,  daughter  of  Killian 
Muller,  of  Claverack. 


422  FAMILY     LETTERS 

too  Dear,  as  well  for  sale  as  for  our  own  use.     Pleas  to  let 
me  know  the  price,  as  also  price  current  of  our  produce. 

Our  family  are  all  well  and  join  with  me  in  respect  to  you, 
and  am,  Sir,  yrs  etc., 

STEPHEN  HOGEBOOM. 

Addressed:    Genl.   Samuel    B.   Webb,   New  York.     Postage  paid. 
Elihu  Chauncey  Goodrich. 


FROM  RICHARD  PLATT. 

NEW  YORK,  November  24,   1790. 
Dear  Webb : 

Being  out  of  town  on  Wednesday  evening  last  and  Sun 
day  at  Flushing,  I  did  not  before  answer  yours  of  the  I4th 
current,  and  now  I  have  only  time  to  say  a  word  to  you, 
such  is  my  extreme  hurry  of  business.  The  money  from 
your  Brother  has  been  left  in  my  hands,  to  the  amount  of 
£45.  o.  2,  which  you  can  have  at  sight.  Bancker's  5 
p  cts.  are  worth  10/6  to  n/,  and  6  p.  cts.  unexchangeable, 
1 1/  to  1 1/6.  Those  which  are  exchangeable  are  worth 
13/4  to  13/6.  Interest  certificates,  deducting  \^  paid, 
the  remainder  worth  9/  to  9/6. 

I  wish  you  will  buy  all  you  can  of  these  kinds  of  paper, 
but  you  must  try  to  get  them  lower  than  the  prices  above 
mentioned,  or  we  shall  not  have  much  room  to  make  any 
thing.  Send  them  by  post  and  draw  on  me  at  sight  or  5 
days  to  any  extent.  Buy  finals  at  12/3  to  12/4,  and  In 
dents  from  7/  to  7/3,  to  any  amount.  Transmit  them, 
and  draw  on  me  for  our  mutual  account. 

I  wish  you  every  possible  felicity,  and  pray  make  my 
best  compliments  to  Mrs.  Webb.  In  haste  yours  etc., 

R.  PLATT. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEY   WEBB  423 

FROM  SARAH  WICKHAM. 

[1790?] 
Sir: 

I  have  sent  you  the  whole  tickets,  and  will  be  much 
obliged  to  you  for  renewing  as  many  as  the  money  will 
purchase. 

I  am  extremely  obliged  to  you  for  your  politeness  and 
attention,  and  be  assured  nothing  will  give  me  greater 
pleasure  than  an  opportunity  of  returning  it.  I  am  with 
esteem  your  friend, 

SARAH  WICKHAM. 
The  ladies  beg  their  compliments. 

Thursday  Morning. 


FROM  PASLEY,  BARRY  &  LITTLE. 

TENERIFE,  15  January,  1791. 
Sir: 

We  are  directed  by  our  friend  Jose  Barrell,  Esqr.,  of 
Boston,  to  send  you  by  the  first  opportunity  for  New  York 
one  pipe  of  particular  wine. 

We  come  now  to  wait  on  you  with  Capt.  Brown  of  the 
Sloop  Polly  his  Bill  of  Lading  for  the  said  pipe.  The  cost, 
£15  Sterling,  we  have  charged  to  account  of  our  above 
mentioned  friend  agreeable  to  his  order,  and  we  flatter 
ourselves  that  the  quality  will  be  found  to  your  liking.  We 
remain,  Sir,  Your  most  ob.  Servants, 

PASLEY,  BARRY  &  LITTLE. 


424  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON. 

NEW  YORK,  March  16,  1791. 
Dear  General: 

I  only  arrived  here  only  yesterday.  I  have  not  had 
time  to  talk  or  consult  with  Judge  Hogeboom  about  the 
elections.  Mr.  Bay  I  have  seen  and  had  a  small  conversa 
tion  with  him.  I  proposed  a  meeting  with  our  members 
this  evening,  but  I  believe  it  cannot  be  had.  Bay  says 
that  last  year  they  did  prommise  Mr.  Adgate  1  to  support 
him  as  Senator  this  year.  He,  Bay,  says  he  would  have 
no  objections  to  support  Walter,2  provided  Mr.  Adgate 
will  resign.  How  matters  will  go  I  know  not,  but  I  depend 
upon  your  support.  I  will  try  to  see  our  members  if  I  can. 
I  wish  for  no  contest,  but  if  wre  must  have  it  I  am  prepared 
for  the  worst. 

No  news  in  town.  You  will  observe  by  the  papers  that 
the  last  appointments  made  in  Philadelphia  some  persons 
who  were  entitled  to  be  prefered  have  as  usual  been  neg 
lected.  Present  my  best  respects  to  Mrs.  Webb  and  your 
brother  Jack. 

I  shall  see  you  soon  I  hope.  I  am,  Dr.  General,  your 
true  friend, 

HENRY  LIVINGSTON. 


1  Matthew  Adgate  was  a  member  of  the  Assembly  from  Columbia 
County,  in  1791,  with  Stephen  Hogeboom  and  James  Savage  as 
colleagues.  In  1792  the  representation  had  been  enlarged,  and  from 
Columbia  County  came  Benjamin  Birdsall,  Jared  Coffin,  Jacob  Ford, 
Lawrence  Hogeboom,  Henry  Livingston,  and  James  Savage.  Liv- 
ng  ston  was  in  service  for  only  one  session. 
2  Walter  Livingston. 


SAMUEL   BLACHLEY   WEBB  425 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

My  dear  Brother:  WETHERSFIELD,  March  28th,  1791- 

I  have  never  received  a  line  from  you  or  our  Brother 
Samuel  since  you  left  us,  although  I  have  written  both 
several  times;  but  I  believe  the  communication  for  letters 
from  Claverac  is  realy  very  bad;  so  that  I  will  not  think 
too  hard  untill  I  may  see  one  of  you.  Jona.  S[impson]  has 
recovered  two  judgments  against  me  for  about  twelve 
hundred  pounds  lawful  money  at  our  February  Superior 
Court,  since  which  I  have  never  heard  a  word  from  him 
or  his  Attorny.  Wadsworth  is  at  home.  I  have  hardly 
seen  him.  There  is  no  letter  or  news  from  Jared  Bunce. 
James  Mitchell  is  at  home.  Jack  Newson  sold  his  vessel 
and  has  made  Newson  pretty  remittances  by  way  of  New 
York.  Newson  has  been  down  and  brought  home  much 
cash.  Thus  I  have  told  you  the  West  India  matters. 
Manning  Wadsworth  is  agoing  to  marry  Miss  Nancy  and 
settle  at  Pittsfield  in  trade.  Deming  has  been  up  and 
purchased  a  place  at  Pitsfield,  and  been  to  New  York  and 
returned  with  goods.  The  Pitsfield  goods  I  suppose  are 
to  go  from  N.  York  by  water  up  the  North  River  so  far  as 
they  can.  So  the  world  goes.  Nat  has  paid  Chamberlain 
twenty-one  dollars.  We  have  never  heard  a  single  word 
from  you,  only  accidentally  from  Mid[dletow]n  by  Heza. 
Hosmer.  We  are  all  anxious  to  hear  more  particulars 
from  you,  Brother  Sam,  and  our  dear  new  sister.  It  was 
a  pity  you  did  not  stay  longer  with  us.  Jack  Lothrop  is 
gone  to  the  Singing  Meeting,  and  I  believe  does  not  know 
of  this  opportunity  to  Sheffield  by  A/Tanning  Wadsworth, 
who  promises  to  endeavor  to  get  this  letter  to  you,  or  he 
would  have  written  you.  I  have  settled  the  affair  of 


426  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Wale's  and  got  up  the  bond  of  C—  -  and  your's  in  my  own 
hands.  I  am  as  busy  as  any  one  can  possibly  be  in  ad 
justing  old  Accounts.  Tell  Sister  Kitty  she  made  us  very 
happy,  but  we  hope  to  see  her  in  May,  when  we  trust  my 
Mrs.  Webb's  health  and  situation  will  make  it  more  agree 
able  to  her,  and  that  she  will  make  a  most  agreeable  jaunt 
thro  the  country  and  be  received  with  open  arms.  Colo. 
Chester  has  just  gone  from  here.  He  is  a  most  lovely, 
attentive,  charming  friend.  It's  now  J/£  after  n  o'clock, 
and  the  family  and  self  much  fatigued,  and  I  am  extreemly 
dull  and  sleepy.  If  you  can  make  anything  of  this  letter 
I  shall  be  glad.  I  was  in  hopes  you  would  before  this 
have  found  out  some  good  conveyance  that  we  might 
write  often.  Little  Jack  grows  finely  and  enquires  when 
you  are  comeing  home.  I  hope  you  or  Brother  Saml.  will 
do  the  needful  about  Thrasher,  Boardman,  Woodhouse,  &c. 
Seems  to  me  I  hear  your  bad  growl,  asking  about  salmon. 
There  has  been  five  caught,  which  sold  at  Hartford  at  a 
pistareen  per  Ib.  But  none  caught  now  on  account  of  the 
rise  of  water.  Lothrop  will  be  here  in  the  morning  before 
he  goes  for  Hartford  to  live.  I  will  make  him  write  if  I  can. 
Jo.  Bull  has  been  his  friend  indeed,  and  will  still  render  him 
every  service  in  his  power.  I  am,  Dear  Brother,  with  love 
and  compliments  to  every  branch  of  the  Hogeboom  family. 
Yr.  affectionate  [No  signature.] 


FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON. 

NEW  YORK,  March  29,  1791. 
Dear  General: 

Since  my  last  I  have  seen  and  conversed  with  Judge 
Hogeboom  and  Van  Ness.     They  both  appear  to  have  a 


SAMUEL     BLACK  LEY    WEBB  427 

wish  to  support  my  Brother  Walter,  but  consider  them 
selves  in  part  bound  to  Adgate.  What  effect  it  will  have 
upon  their  exertions  in  Adgate's  favor  I  know  not.  I  only 
sincerely  regret  that  two  such  gentlemen  are  opposed  to  us, 
when  they  must  know  that  the  Senators  of  the  State  govern 
ment  are  the  only  persons  who  represent  the  landed  inter 
est,  and  they,  being  both  proprietors  of  lands,  cannot  have 
great  faith  in  such  a  representative  as  Adgate.  I  shall 
depend  upon  your  influence  to  advise  and  keep  things  upon 
their  proper  poise.  I  shall  also  depend  upon  your  influence 
to  forward  our  plan  of  electing  Walter.  Our  friends  north 
of  Columbia  will  exert  themselves  in  our  favor,  and  all  fair 
methods  will  be  essayed.  No  news  in  town.  Two  ships 
from  this  port  to  London  lost  on  the  English  coast.  Our 
old  friend  [David]  Franks  is  in  this  town  in  his  way  to 
Boston.  He  has  the  appointment  of  Inspector  to  the 
troops  to  be  raised,  with  3  dollars  per  day --a  strange 
appointment.  Their  is  six  gentlemen  named  by  the  Presi 
dent  to  receive  the  subscriptions  to  the  national  Bank,  but 
not  one  farther  north  than  Jersey,  and  every  thing  in  like 
manner.  Many  applications  for  appointments  in  the  Mint, 
but  I  suppose  the  President  will  give  his  choice  favors  to 
his  choice  Potomack  friends.  I  wish  to  see  a  change.  I 
shall  be  with  you  the  next  week.  Mr.  Hogeboom  left 
this  on  Sunday  last.  I  beg  my  best  respects  to  Mrs.  Webb 
and  Vroman's  family.  Fish  begs  to  be  remembered.  I 
am,  Dr  Sir,  Your  sincere  friend, 

HENRY  LIVINGSTON. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Claverack. 


428  FAMILY   LETTERS 

AGREEMENT. 

This  is  to  Certify  that  we  the  subscribers  have  this  day 
agreed  with  Stephen  Hogeboom  Esqr.,  and  Genl.  Samuel 
B.  Webb  in  manner  following:  We  engage  and  insure  that 
the  ten  tickets,  the  numbers  of  which  are  hereafter  written, 
draw  the  sum  of  thirty-four  pounds  exclusive  of  the  fifteen 
per  cent  deduction.1  All  deficiency  of  thirty-four  pounds 
to  be  paid  to  Stephen  Hogeboom  by  Samuel  B.  Webb 
immediately  after  drawing  of  said  Lottery;  viz.  New  York 
City  Lottery,  which  is  to  commence  drawing  on  the  first 
Monday  of  May,  1791.  The  numbers  are  as  follows  13,019, 
13,025,  13,026,  13,027,  13,028,  13,033,  13,036,  13,038, 
13,041  and  13,042.  In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto 
affixed  our  Names  in  Claverack,  this  i8th  day  of  April, 
1791.  ELIHU  CHAUNCEY  GOODRICH. 

JOHN  S.  VAN  RENSSELAER. 


VlSIT   TO    JOSEPH    BARRELL.2 

June  12,  1791. 

Was  politely  received  at  dinner  by  Mr.  Barrell  and 
family,  who  shewed  me  his  large  and  elegant  arrangements 
for  amusement  and  philosophic  experiments.  His  birds 
played  in  a  globe  surrounded  with  a  globe  of  water  in  which 
the  fish  play.  He  has  an  excellent  portrait  of  Dr.  Cooper, 
from  the  original  with  the  Governor.  He  has  an  original 
of  Mr.  Clarke.  He  has  a  variety  of  paintings,  engravings, 

1  From  this  point  to  the  signatures  is  in  the  MS.  of  Webb.  The 
tickets  were  the  property  of  Stephen  Hogeboom,  and  for  them  and  this 
"insurance,"  Webb  gave  other  ten  tickets,  equal  to  £20. 

2  From  Diary  of  Rev.  William  Bentley,  I.  264. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB  429 

and  representations  in  clay  from  China.  He  was  an 
adventurer  in  the  first  voyage  to  the  back  parts  of  America 
[Columbia  River],  and  has  several  great  curiosities.  His 
apparatus  for  experimental  philosophy  is  good,  especially 
for  electricity.  He  has  a  good  library.  The  house  is  ele 
gant  in  all  its  furniture.  His  garden  is  beyond  any  ex 
ample  I  have  seen.  A  young  grove  is  growing  in  the  back 
ground,  in  the  middle  of  which  is  a  pond,  decorated  with 
four  ships  at  anchor,  and  a  marble  figure  in  the  centre. 
The  Chinese  manner  is  mixed  with  the  European  in  the 
summer  house,  which  fronts  the  houses  below  the  flower 
gardens.  Below  is  the  hot  house.  In  the  apartment  above 
are  his  flowers  admitted  more  freely  to  the  air,  and  above, 
a  summer  house  with  every  convenience.  The  squares  are 
decorated  with  marble  figures  as  large  as  life.  No  expence 
is  spared  to  render  the  whole  amusing,  instructive,  and 
friendly. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  June  27th,  1791. 
Dear  Brother: 

Your  things  went  from  here  this  day  week,  on  board 
Butler,  the  coaster.  I  hope  by  this  they  are  safe  arrived, 
with  the  two  pair  shoes  from  Jones  which  I  have  debited 
you  the  making.  The  fish  I  have  also  sent.  I  should  like 
several  barrels  of  flour  if  convenient.  Jack  Webb  is  re 
turned  from  Stamford;  found  the  old  gentleman  in  better 
health,  and  says  he  has  taken  the  deed  in  your  and  his 
name.  Parson  Samuel  Lockwood  died  up  at  New  Lebanon 
pool.  Its  said  he  has  made  Billy  his  heir.  He  has  left  a 
handsome  estate.  All  my  affairs  remain  as  they  did  when 


43O  FAMILY     LETTERS 

you  left  me.  We  have  not  heard  a  word  from  you  since 
Jack  and  Chester  parted  with  you.  You  are  too  neglect 
ful  in  answering  letters.  I  hope  the  Attorney  that  is  now 
collecting  my  affairs  in  your  vicinity  will  be  more  vigilant 
and  attentive  than  my  former  attornies.  Woodhouse's 
note  is  in  the  hands  of  Maj.  Sill's  heirs.1  The  rest  you 
know.  I  hope  the  debt  against  Thrasher  is  secured.  I 
wish  you  would  enquire  after  one  Eliakim  Flint,  a  cooper, 
somewhere  up  your  world.  Tell  your  good  Mrs.  Webb 
and  sister  Jenny  we  mourned  at  parting  with  them  very 
much.  We  had  a  clever  ride  to  farm  and  back;  got  home 
in  fine  season  for  dinner.  Found  Sally  anxious  for  our 
return.  Jack  tells  me  you  was  unfortunate  enough  to  take 
the  worse  road  thro  the  green  woods ;  the  best  is  bad  enough ; 
but  the  road  Jack  came  back  in  is  better  he  says  than  the 
one  you  stumbled  on.  Remember  me  most  tenderly  and 
affectionately  to  all  the  good  family  of  the  Hogeboom 
House,  and  believe  me  with  sincerity,  Yr.  Affectionate 
Brother, 

JOSEPH  WEBB. 

Addressed:    General  Samuel  B.  Webb,   Clavarack,   State   of  New 
York. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  3<Dth  June,  1791. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

Since  you  left  this  I  have  been  to  Stanford  to  see  the  old 
gentleman.  I  found  him  rather  out  of  health,  tho'  I  com- 

1  Richard  Sill,  who  entered  the  Continental  army  in  the  Quarter 
master's  and  Paymaster's  Departments,  became  aide  to  Lord  Stirling, 
and  thus  attained  the  rank  of  major. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB  43! 

pleted  the  business  by  giving  him  the  supplies  he  wanted, 
and  took  the  deed  in  your  and  my  name.  He  soon  must 
take  his  departure.  He  desired  to  be  remembered  affec 
tionately  to  you.  I  told  him  that  it  was  probable  that 
you  would  see  him;  there  is  some  repairs  wanting,  [on] 
which  I  chose  to  see  you  previous  to  making. 

I  am  arranging  every  matter  of  mine  so  as  to  be  ready  in 
October  either  to  go  the  West  Indies,  or  some  where  with 
you.  For  I  must  confess  that  I  am  very  sick  of  this  place 
for  many  reasons.  There  is  no  prospect  that  I  see  at 
present  of  our  friends  closing  his  affairs. 

State  paper  has  risen  here.  I  hope  should  I  not  go  to 
the  West  Indies,  that  you  may  fall  on  some  plan  that  will 
be  to  our  mutual  advantage. 

I  yesterday  went  over  to  Hartford,  and  have  got  Mr. 
John  W.  Lothrop  to  take  out  administration  on  our  father 
and  mother's  estate:  so  promise  myself  it  will  not  be  long 
before  these  matters  are  closed. 

The  family  are  all  well  and  desire  to  be  affectionately 
remembered  to  you  all.  They  as  well  as  myself  are 
anxious  to  hear  from  you,  how  you  got  home.  Tell  Killian 
that  I  wish  very  much  to  see  him,  and  will  write  him  by  the 
first  private  opportunity.  Remember  me  particular  to  our 
worthy  friend,  the  Dear  Lady,  and  those  of  our  friends 
who  think  proper  to  enquire  after  me.  I  wish  you  to  tell 
me  name  of  the  man  that  is  your  gunsmith  in  New  York. 
Write  me  if  you  please  as  soon  as  convenient.  Believe  me 
to  be  with  sincere  affection  your  Brother, 

JOHN  WEBB. 

I  wish  you  to  write  me  what  I  had  better  do  with  Pen- 
dleton's  matter.  Should  you  go  to  New  York  I  also  could 


432  FAMILYLETTERS 

wish  you  to  call  on  Capt.  Peter  Schermerhorn,  and  see 
whether  John  McQueen  and  Colo.  Saml  Hammond  have 
removed  to  East  Florida.  I  am  informed  that  they  have. 
If  so,  I  loose  six  hundred  pounds  sterling.  You  must  re 
member  me  affectionately  to  my  good  sister  and  the  family. 
Having  a  little  leisure  this  afternoon  I  have  been  out  to 
shoot  a  few  woodcock  for  breakfast  in  the  morning;  the 
young  have  got  to  be  very  fine.  I  have  much  to  say,  but 
as  I  have  one  of  my  heavy  hours  come  on  I  will  leave  it.  I 
intend  on  Monday  next  to  pay  the  farm  at  Coalchester  a 
visit;  then  I  have  only  a  few  days'  business,  when  I  shall 
continue  there  till  all  agree  upon  some  plan.  For  I  am 
determined  to  leave  this  in  October,  if  I  go  to  the  West 
Indies  in  my  own  vessell.  May  God  bless  you  all.  My 
brother  informs  me  that  your  trunks  are  gone  on  some 
time  since  to  New  York. 

Addressed:    General  Samuel   B.   Webb,   Clavarack,   State  of   New 
York.1 


FROM  STEPHEN  HOGEBOOM. 

CLAVERACK,  I  August,  1791. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  25th  instant,  in  which 
I  perceive  the  difficulty  flung  in  the  way  of  answering  the 
orders.  If  this  had  been  generally  done,  there  would  not 
be  so  much  room  for  complaint.  However  I  am  persuaided, 
as  you  observe  in  your  letter,  that  the  treasurer  2  or  some 

1  The  postage  from  Fairfield  was  3/8. 

2  Gerardus   Bancker  was   treasurer  from   1778   to   1798,   and   had 
charge  also  of  the  Land  Office. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        433 

of  his  clarks  are  concearned  in  the  purchasing  of  those 
securities. 

I  have  received  a  perticular  information  last  Thursday, 
just  after  the  mail  had  gone  down,  which  I  wanted  to  com 
municate  to  you  with  all  dispatch,  and  wrote  a  letter  im 
mediately,  sent  Butler  down  to  Hudson,  to  send  it  with  a 
vessel.  It  was  a  probabillity  of  a  speculation  to  be  made 
within  the  City  of  New  York,  that  there  was  the  tenth  day 
of  this  month  in  the  treasurer's  office  certificates  in  the 
name  of  Genl.  Ellexander  McDougal  to  the  amount  of  two 
thousand  nine  hundred  and  ninety-seven  pounds.  As 
they  had  laid  there  so  long,  and  the  General  being  dead, 
some  means  might  perhaps  be  divised  to  procure  them. 
This  information  I  had  of  Colo.  John  McKinstrey,1  who 
had  a  perticular  list  sent  to  him.  I  promised  him  if  I  suc 
ceeded,  that  he  should  have  one-half  of  the  profits,  and  I 
will  divide  my  profits  with  you,  if  you  can  negotiate  this 
business.  No  time  ought  to  be  lost,  and  with  great  pre 
caution  it  ought  to  be  undertaken.  Colo.  McKinstrey 
also  told  me  that  his  list  had  Richard  Mulherins  name  for 
a  note  of  between  six  and  seven  pounds.  This  is  also 
likely.  You  may  purchase,  if  it  is  the  merchant  at  New 
York.  This  will  require  proper  investigation,  for  he  has 
been  part  of  his  time  in  the  war  with  the  British  in  New 
York. 

Killie  set  of  last  Monday  morning  for  Susquehannah, 
and  have  not  heard  a  word  of  him  since.  The  most  of 
those  persons  he  has  in  view  to  purchase  from  he  will  be 
able  to  get  identified  by  Colo.  McKinstrey  after  his  return, 
agreable  to  what  you  mentioned  in  your  letter. 


1  Served  in  the  New  York  State  militia. 


434  FAMILY     LETTERS 

I  believe  I  have  forgot  to  put  on  the  memorandum  the 
names  of  David  Bagley  and  Joseph  Lyon,  for  to  make  per- 
ticular  inquiry  respecting  their  pay.  David  Bagley  en 
tered  first  in  Gansevoort's  Regiment  and  was  exchanged 
after  he  had  gone  into  Vanschaick's  Regiment.  Joseph 
Lyon  entered  first  in  Colo.  Gansevoort's  Regiment,  and 
from  that  into  Colo.  Vanschaicks  Regiment.1  They  both 
have  pay  due  by  the  account  I  have.  The  latter  died  in 
the  service,  and  had  entered  for  during  the  war,  which  has 
been  made  [to]  appear  by  the  oath  of  his  father,  and  there 
fore  ought  to  be  entitled  to  soldier's  bounty  lands.  Mr. 
Bay  took  this  deposition  of  his  father  down  to  N.  York, 
and  had  layed  it  before  the  Commissioners  of  the  Land 
Office,  in  order  to  have  his  Name  inserted  for  the  State 
Bounty  lands  (as  it  seemed  his  name  had  been  omitted). 
Capt.  Connolly,  I  believe,  advised  with  Mr.  Bay  respect 
ing  the  lands  for  Joseph  Lyon.  I  wish  you  would  inquire 
into  this,  wheather  it  has  been  allowed  by  the  Commission 
ers  or  not. 

Colo.  McKinstrey  also  informed  me  that  his  last  list  gave 
an  account  of  three  hundred  pounds  due  to  a  religious 
society  in  Orange  County.  He  did  not  incline  to  let  me 
know  from  whom  he  had  the  list,  but  believe  it  was  from 
one  of  the  Treasuror's  clerks.  He  desired  perticularly  not 
to  have  his  name  mentioned  in  any  of  this  business.  As 
you  have  business  in  the  Jerseys,  it  will  not  be  much  out 
of  your  way  to  make  an  attempt  to  purchase  the  last  men 
tioned  sum.  You  can  make  an  exact  calculation  what  they 
are  worth,  so  that  you  may  offer  sums  in  purchasing  with 
safety.  If  those  two  sums  could  be  properly  taken  hold  of, 


1  He  died  in  the  hospital  at  New  Windsor  at  the  end  of  the  war. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        435 

it  might  render  a  good  speculation.  However  I  make  no 
doubt  but  what  you  will  do  what  is  necessary  in  the  prem 
ises,  and  am,  sir,  your  sincere  Friend  and  Humble  Servant, 

STEPHEN  HOGEBOOM. 

Addressed:   Gen'l  Samuel  B.  Webb,  New  York.    At  Colo.  Platt's. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 
My  Dear  Brother:  WETHERSFIELD,  4th  August,  1791. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  you  are  once  more  in  New  York.  Can 
you  do  anything  by  saying  a  good  word  for  me  to  A[lsop], 
King,  or  any  other?  What  a  cruel  dil[emma]  I  am  in;  the 
Horror's  are  almost  upon  me.  Yet  I  endeavor  to  listen  to 
the  Voice  of  Philosophy.  But  reflect  but  for  a  moment, 
and  you  will  allow  it's  the  last  situation  one  would  be  in. 
Accept  my  thanks  for  your  proposal  of  sending  me  the 
flour.  But  as  you  have  to  pay  cash  for  it,  it's  not  worth 
while;  there  is  a  great  plenty  here.  I  hope  your's  and 
Sister  Jenny's  baggage  arrived  safe,  but  I  do  not  find  that 
in  all  your  letters  you  say  a  word  on  the  subject.  Please 
to  mention  the  particulars  in  your  next.  Let  me  urge 
your  very  serious  attention  to  the  enquiry  of  my  Debts  in 
your  Quarter.  If  I  remember  right  there  is  Thos.  Wright, 
Seth  Boardman,  Lemuel  Woodhouse,  Eliphalet  Flint,  Asa- 
hel  Thrasher,  General  Moylan,  George  Smith,  Ashbel 
Webster.  Write  me  freely  and  fully.  I  beg  you  would 
return  me  the  gun;  it  will  answer  me,  and  save  me  buy 
ing  a  new  one  for  Nat  Fullerton,  who  is  obliged  to  keep 
arms.  And  if  you  can,  as  you  are  now  at  York,  send  me 
on  my  Gordon's  History  and  Stern's  Works,  you  will  very 
much  oblige  me.  I  wish  you  would  write  me  the  cost  of 


436  FAMILY     LETTERS 

your  saddle  and  the  maker's  name,  as  I  must  send  and  get 
me  one  made.  Do  you  like  yours?  I  am  determined  to 
have  my  affairs  bro't  to  a  close  if  there  is  any  such  thing 
in  the  Book.  Depend  upon  it,  let  any  one  tell  you  what 
they  please,  it's  not  my  fault  it's  not  done.  Should  you 
write  me  ever  again,  let  me  beg  you  to  write  me  an  answer 
to  all  my  letters  since  you  was  here.  I  hope  to  be  able  to 
arrange  my  affairs  so  as  to  be  at  New  York  in  the  month  of 
September.  I  have  the  pleasure  to  tell  you  all  the  family 
are  well,  and  desired  to  be  remembered  in  the  most  tender, 
loving  and  affectionate  manner.  I  am  in  hopes  Sally  will 
either  go  to  Colo.  Worthington,  Springfield,  to  Norwich, 
or  some  where  to  spend  a  month.  She  is  a  charming  girl, 
but  I  think  it's  full  time  she  went  abroad.  When  did  you 
see  Henry  Livingston?  Did  your  salt  fish  arrive  in  good 
order  and  to  your  mind?  I  fear  the  cask  was  not  so  good 
and  tight  as  it  ought  to  be.  I  hope  you  will  not  forget 
you  promised  us  a  visit  early  this  fall.  I  am  with  love  to 
Sister,  Jo,  Jenny,  Killian  and  all  the  circle.  Yr  Most 
Affectionate  Br.,  Jos.  WEBB. 

C—  -  S—  -  has  been  here  and  in  town  this  long  time. 
She  is  a  vain  strange  creature  as  you  ever  saw;  but  more 
of  this  anon.  I  may  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you. 
Adieu.  Adieu. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Octo.  i8th,  1791. 

Tuesday  Evening. 
Dear  Brother's 

I  have  just  returned  from  Hartford,  and  was  surprised 
to  find  Jane  and  Grace  and  the  onions  not  gone.     Mrs. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        437 

Wfebb]  says  Stillman  sent  word  he  should  go  from  the 
wharf  in  a  hour.  She  dispatched  Nat.  [Fullerton]  with  all 
the  necessaries,  but  it  seamed  a  Mr.  Clap  on  board  was 
not  willing  to  take  Jane.  Stillman  said  but  little,  they 
followed  to  Prat's  ferry  but  all  in  vain.  I  am  chagrined 
on  account  of  yourself,  and  as  I  find  my  Mrs.  W[ebb]  ex 
tremely  anxious,  for  fear  I  shall  think  she  was  neglectful. 

I  am  sorry  but  I  hope  some  other  boat  at  Hartford  will 
soon  be  going.  I  thot  it  my  duty  to  let  you  know  it.  Mrs. 
W[ebb]  is  fully  persuaded  it  was  contrived  to  disappoint  us 
in  carrying  off  Jane.  The  family  are  all  well.  The  family 
beg  if  convenient  for  the  three  following  plays :  The  Heiress, 
The  Gamester,1  and  The  Bell's  Stratagem.2 
Yr  Afft.  Frd  and  Br., 

JOSEPH  WEBB. 

General  Webb  or  Major  John  Webb. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  Saturday  Morning,  10  o'clock, 

1 9th  November,  1791. 
My  Dear  Brother: 

Yours  of  the  i6th  instant  I  have  just  received.  I  am 
sorry  when  I  wrote  to  Jack  I  did  not  write  him,  that  I  had 
copied  all  the  letters  on  purpose  to  show  Barrell  or  Jack, 
should  they  arrive  during  ScovePs  defence;  which  was 
fortunate,  as  Barrel  arrived  on  Thursday,  and  immedi 
ately  enquired  for  your  Brother  Jack  or  the  letters.  I 
was  happy  to  have  the  copies  by  him.  He  askt  me  what 
Brother  Jack  would  do.  I  could  not  even  hint. 


1  By  Edward  Moore. 

2  By  Mrs.  Hannah  Cowley. 


438  FAMILY     LETTERS 

He  read  the  letters  over  and  over,  shook  his  head  about 
Slaves.  In  short  but  little  was  said,  only  begged  me  to 
forward  on  Brother  Jack's  letters  without  fail  by  next 
stage.  I  am  happy  that  Scovel  has  arrived  in  season.  I 
shall  send  a  boy  to  put  them  in  the  mail  this  evening.  I 
confess  to  you  I  fear  to  advise;  its  too  delicate  a  subject, 
unless  one  is  more  master  of  it  than  I  am  of  his  prospects. 
Here  I  am  wholly  ignorant.  If  the  climate  will  suit  his 
constitution,  the  prospect  to  me  appears  great.  If  I  was 
a  young  man,  I  should  not  hesitate  for  it's  nothing  to  go 
back  and  to  Dimerary.  The  prospect  of  consignments  - 
But  the  Plantation  appears  a  certain  fortune  if  a  man 
understands  his  business,  and  will  make  English  rum.  See 
what  the  gentleman  has  done  from  Boston  at  Surinam,  by 
going  himself  and  carrying  an  English  distiller. 

Will  it  not  be  worth  Jack's  while  to  collect  a  valuable 
cargo  and  go  on  the  spot,  and  examine  and  see  for  him[self], 
and  conclude  as  circumstances  appears?  Indeed  I  wish 
not  to  advise.  I  wish  him  to  consult  Barrell,  and  follow 
his  advice.  Barrel  will  not  leave  him  in  the  lurch,  if  he 
follows  his  advice.  I  believe  if  the  climate  should  suit 
Brother  Jack,  he's  well  calculated  for  such  an  undertaking; 
but  his  leaving  his  friends  and  native  country  is  still  a  very 
great  thing.  Perhaps  the  circumstances  of  your  family 
may  permit  your  comeing  on  as  far  as  here  with  him,  or  to 
Boston.  It's  really  time  that  he  persued  some  steady  fixt 
plan. 

I  fully  believe  it's  not  riches  alone  that  makes  one  happy; 
a  genteel  sufficiency  is  enough  better  here  than  to  pursue 
foreign  climes.  But  after  all  I  cant  say  what  is  best  and 
what  to  advise. 

You  better  can  than  myself,  as  I  have  long  been  shut 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        439 

out  of  the  busy  world  of  business.  As  to  your  Harness, 
the  brasses  are  all  this  day  compleated.  Denny  takes  out 
a  quantity  of  leather  on  Aionday,  and  we  are  doing  all  we 
can  to  hurry  it.  But  the  leather  Denny  expected  is  not 
good  enough,  and  therefore  waits  for  a  better  prospect 
next  week.  As  to  coming  to  Clavarac,  Mrs.  Webb  and 
Sally  wish  it,  and  I  am  get[ting]  ready  to  go  to  Boston,  or 
with  you.  Mrs.  W[ebb]  has  not  weaned  her  child  yet, 
but  expects  to  soon.  Its  full  time  Sally  went  abroad.  I 
am  sensible  she  is  extremely  thankful  for  your  polite  invita 
tion,  and  doubts  not  it  will  be  agreeable.  But  she's  a 
little  anxious  about  being  left  there,  as  it's  so  difficult  to 
return  at  any  time.  The  Chester  families  are  all  well,  and 
very  attentive  and  friendly  to  me.  We  have  lately  had 
several  friendly  parties  at  supper.  Colo.  Qhester]  is  a 
Jewel.  His  wife  is  very  forward  on  her  passage,  like  your 
Mrs.  W[ebb].  Its  thot  her  disorder  will  fall  into  her  Arms, 
as  we  trust  your  good  Ladies  will.  It's  a  fine,  happy,  de 
lightful  season.  I  send  you  two  or  three  newspapers. 
Perhaps  you  may  find  something  to  amuse  you.  But  let 
Jack  bring  them  back  if  its  convenient,  as  I  keep  my  papers. 
I  trust  Jane  and  Grace  are  with  you  before  this.  I  in 
tended  to  have  seen  Riley  at  Rocky  Hill  and  paid  him  the 
passage.  But  particular  business  prevented.  Give  Mrs. 
Webb  and  all  the  families  love  to  every  branch  of  the 
family.  Sally  scolds  at  Jenny  for  not  writing  her.  Be 
lieve  me  to  be  Sincerely,  Your  affectionate  Brother, 

JOSEPH  WTEBB. 

What  I  mean  by  getting  ready  is  some  old  accounts  and 
settlements,  some  debts  arranged  I  fear  may  be  outlawed. 
My  sleigh  and  harness,  &c.,  &c.  I  hope  to  come  and  now 


440  FAMILY     LETTERS 

expect  it;  but  should  business  prevent,  and  the  situation 
of  your  wife  prevent,  are  circumstances  to  be  allowed  for. 
However  I  shall  soon  be  able  to  write  you  again.  Did 
Brother  Jack  receive  a  letter  I  sent  by  Heman  Hoffman ? 
Scovel  drives  with  a  variety  of  other  affairs,  besides  a  sick 
head  ache  almost  crazes  me.  So  for  better  or  worse  I 
send  this  letter.  I  could  not  write  another,  or  even  look 
over  this. 


FROM  WILLIAM  S.  LIVINGSTON. 

NEW  YORK,  November  2Oth,  1791. 
Dear  Webb: 

I  should  have  acknowledged  the  receipt  of  your  letter 
long  since,  but  as  I  could  not  give  satisfactory  accounts, 
delayed  it  till  now.  Mr.  Bleecker  and  myself  waited  upon 
the  Treasurer.  I  requested  a  Categorical  Answer  from 
him  whether  he  would  or  would  not  issue  the  Certificates. 
I  found  him  somewhat  pliant.  In  this  moment  I  thought 
best  to  alarm  his  fears.  The  threats  of  entering  a  Protest, 
and  an  Intimation  given  him  that  his  mode  and  manner  of 
doing  business  of  the  same  nature  differed  with  different 
people,  and  could  be  attributed  to  but  one  source,  had  the 
desired  effect.  He  promised  Mr.  Bleecker  to  issue  them, 
and  I  suppose  ere  this  you  have  received  them. 

Receiving  no  answer  from  Mr.  Duyckinck  about  the 
Wench,  I  wrote  a  letter  to  Mr.  Kirkpatrick,  a  gentleman 
of  our  profession  in  Brunswick,  and  desired  Mr.  Voorhies 
who  was  the  bearer  of  it  to  give  him  the  other  papers.  He 
will  take  the  necessary  steps  immediately  for  the  recovery 
of  the  Wench.  And  I  think  she  will  be  here  this  week. 
You  have  nothing  to  apprehend  from  your  Friend  Cary.  I 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEY    WEBB  44! 

shall  give  you  a  particular  account  of  my  interview  with 
him  in  my  next.  I  am  preparing  for  the  press  and  am  in  a 
hurry.  Present  our  best  respects  to  Mrs.  Webb  and  all 
friends.  I  am  Yours  sincerely, 

WM.  S.  LIVINGSTON. 


FROM  PETER  VAN  SCHAICK. 

KINDERHOOK,  29  December,  1791. 
Dear  Sir: 

Dirck  Goes's  mills  were  yesterday  struck  off  at  vendue 
for  fifty-four  pounds,  but  as  the  late  sheriff  was  on  the 
point  of  going  to  New  York,  the  deed  yet  remains  to  be 
executed.  In  order  to  prepare  it,  it  is  absolutely  necessary 
that  I  have  the  warrant  upon  which  the  seizure  or  levy  was 
made,  or  at  least  a  copy  of  it.  Mr.  Hogeboom  says  he 
returned  it  to  you.  If  when  you  send  it  to  me  (which  I 
beg  may  be  without  delay)  you  would  point  out  the  act 
upon  which  it  was  grounded  I  should  be  oblidged  to  you,  as 
I  am  informed  that  the  levy  was  made  antecedent  to  the 
existing  act. 

As  to  Mr.  Gridley,  there  is  great  grumbling  in  our  town 
against  him,  occasioned  by  the  tax  now  collecting  for  his 
delinquincy,  while  he  himself  is  also  busy  in  levying  the 
arrears.  Thus  the  candle  is  lit  at  both  ends.  I  sincerely 
wish  I  could  have  a  full  state  of  this  whole  business,  that  I 
might  examine  all  the  acts  which  relate  to  it.  As  to  the 
Poor  tax,  which  he  contends  he  is  accountable  for  to  the 
Overseers  of  the  Poor  and  not  to  you,  I  think  you  told  me 
that  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Supervisors  it  was  blended 
with  our  portion  of  the  contingent  county  charge.  This 
may  be  very  material,  and  I  wish  I  could  know  precisely 


442  FAMILY     LETTERS 

how  this  fact  is.  A  transcript  of  the  Supervisors'  minutes 
might  be  satisfactory.  Pray  how  was  the  warrant  to  the 
Collector?  Was  the  Poor  tax  distinguished  or  not  from 
the  rest?  You  will  excuse  me  if,  for  want  of  knowing  the 
common  methods  of  proceeding  in  these  cases,  I  should 
ask  questions  not  pertinent. 

If  you  should  have  occasion  to  come  this  way,  pray  call 
in  and  take  a  bit  of  mutton  with  me.     Yours  sincerely, 

PETER  VAN  SCHAICK. 

Endorsed:   Mr.  Van  Alen  will  call  on  you  tomorrow  for  an  answer. 


FROM  JAMES  FAIRLIE. 

Mr.  Fairlie's  Compliments  to  Genl.  Webb  and  requests 
his  acceptance  of  a  very  small  saddle  of  venison.  Mrs. 
and  Mr.  F.  are  happy  to  hear  of  Mrs.  W.  being  so  far  on 
the  recovery  from  her  late  indisposition.  They  desire 
their  compliments  to  Mrs.  Webb. 

ALBANY,  January  25,  1792. 

Addressed:   General  Webb,  Claverack.    Hon'd  by  Capt.  Huyck. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  February  21,  1792. 

Eight  o'clock. 
Dear  Brother: 

Yours  of  the  i8th  instant  I  received  from  Mr.  Goodrich 
yesterday  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Had  the  letter 
arrived  one  hour  sooner  I  could  have  forwarded  those 
Boston  ones  by  a  safe  and  good  private  opportunity.  None 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        443 

can  now  be  found  untill  the  stage  on  Thursday,  when  I 
shall  take  care  to  forward  them. 

Brother  Jack  has  gone  to  Boston,  and  since  which  I  have 
not  heard  from  him.  Goodrich  and  Ranslaer  went  over 
to  my  house  and  drank  tea  last  evening,  and  will  dine  with 
me  one  day  this  week.  The  venison  is  very  acceptable. 

Sally  reckons  much  on  paying  you  a  visit  this  winter; 
so  does  Mrs.  W[ebb].  But  when  you  recollect  in  addition 
to  what  I  write  to  you  on  the  8th  and  I3th,  in  addition, 
that  all  our  Book  Debts  in  this  State  of  more  than  six 
year's  standing  will  be  outlawed  the  first  of  next  May,  you 
will  readily  make  every  allowance  for  the  seeming  neglect 
of  our  not  comeing. 

HARTFORD,  Tuesday  morning  I  o'clock. 

Mr.  Hogeboom  has  just  called  on  me  and  says  he  has 
been  down  to  Wethersfield,  but  must  return  immediately. 
I  have  endeavored  to  persuade  him  to  go  back,  but  to  no 
purpose.  He  pleads  urgent  business  back.  I  am  extremly 
sorry,  for  I  look  upon  him  a  very  worthy  young  fellow.  I 
have  engaged  the  slippers  for  Sister  Webb  and  will  forward 
them  by  Mr.  Goodrich.  The  salmon  in  season,  can  get 
you  any  quantity.  I  hope  the  harness  will  please  you;  I 
think  it's  good.  I  believe  Brother  Jack  never  saw  it.  The 
nuts  I  sent  as  soon  as  I  could  get  them  here;  they  were 
extremely  scarce.  I  sent  a  barrel  to  Jos  B[arrell],  Boston. 
I  should  be  happy  to  see  you  with  your  wife,  New  comer, 
or  any  of  the  Hogeboom  family,  and  wish  you  was  here 
now,  as  we  are  all  well  and  happy  (except  Mrs.  W[ebb]  is 
without  a  woman  to  take  care  of  the  children,  but  I  hope 
this  will  be  but  for  a  few  days,  tho  its  more  difficult  to  get 
a  good  one  after  the  Accident  I  have  related  to  you.)  Poor 


444  FAMILY     LETTERS 

Sam  Burr  of  Hartford,  on  a  visit  to  Wethersfield  last  Sat 
urday,  died  in  a  fit.     But  it's  fine  and  healthy. 

I  do  not  quite  give  up  the  thoughts  of  a  runing  visit  to 
you,  but  it  must  be  a  short  one  on  account  of  my  affairs  at 
home.  But  I  much  wish  to  see  you  if  but  one  hour.  But 
yet  do  not  depend  on  my  coming  for  a  moment,  for  a 
thousand  reasons  I  have  given  and  you  know.  I  am, 
dear  Sam,  with  love  to  all,  Yr  affectionate  friend  and 
brother, 

JOSEPH  WEBB. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Clavarack.  Per  Mr.  K. 
Hogeboom. 


To  WILLIAM  HENRY  LuDLow.1 

CLAVERACK,  Tuesday,  21  st  February,  1792. 
Sir: 

I  am  sorry  to  inform  you,  that  on  mature  deliberation 
I  find  myself  compelled  to  say  that  the  terms  of  sale  for 
the  house  of  your's  which  I  now  occupy  are  so  far  beyond 
my  expectations  (and  of  course  in  my  judgment  too  high), 
that  I  cannot  agree  with  either  of  the  propositions.  I 
sincerely  wish  you  may  meet  with  a  good  sale.  At  the 
same  time  beg  leave  to  observe  if  you  should  not  sell,  that 
I  shall  esteem  it  a  favor  I  may  have  the  refusal  for  renting, 
or  if  you  should  hereafter  alter  your  terms,  that  you  would 
be  so  obligeing  as  to  give  me  information  thereof.  I  am, 
sir,  with  Esteem  your  Most  Obdt.  Servt., 

SAML.  B.  WEBB. 


1  Son  of  Henry  Ludlow,  who  removed  from  New  York  city  to  Clave- 
rack.    A  sister,  Sarah,  was  wife  of  Richard  Morris. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB      445 

FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON. 

NEW  YORK,  March  17,  1792. 
Dear  General: 

Capt.  Ten  Broek  delivered  me  your  favor  with  the  bundle 
of  orders,  all  which  I  will  do  the  best  I  can  for  you.  They 
have  not  been  presented  as  yet,  owing  to  Bancker's  being 
absolutely  engaged  in  the  Land  office  for  these  last  two 
days  past.  Their  is  a  law  which  has  had  its  second  read 
ing  to  direct  the  reissue  (?)  about  Certificates  for  military 
services.  I  will  send  you  the  law  by  Ten  Broek.  I  now 
stand  so  fair  with  Mr.  B.  that  I  believe  I  can  do  you  a 
friendship,  if  any  person  can. 

March  18,  Sunday  Evening. 

Your  favor  of  the  15  I  received  this  moment.  I  shall 
attend  to  every  particular.  The  matter  of  Duer :  is 
almost  come  to  a  crisis;  tomorrow  he  is  to  meet  his  cred 
itors,  but  be  assured  his  failure  will  ruin  very  many. 

Mr.  Radcliff  2  who  has  brought  down  a  letter  from  our 
county  requesting  Schuyler,  Van  Ness  and  myself,  to  urge 
the  idea  of  a  relinquishment  of  Jay,  and  Yates  to  come  for 
ward,3  has  had  no  effect,  as  Mr.  R[adcliff]  tells  me  that  the 
gentlemen  who  were  so  precipitate  in  supporting  Jay  will 
not  mention  the  matter  to  him,  and  talk  of  certain  success. 
(I  am  not  of  that  number),  for  I  have  called  on  Yates  and 
beg  him  again  to  come  forward;  but  he  tells  me  his  friends 

1  William  Duer,  whose  failure  dragged  down  many  others. 

2  Probably  Jacob  Radcliff. 

3  Robert  Yates  had  been  the  opposition  candidate  in   1789,  but 
George  Clinton  won  the  election  by  a  vote  of  6,391  to  5)9^2.    In  I792 
Jay  was  run  and  lost  by  one  hundred  and  eight  votes,  receiving  8,332 
against  8,440  for  Clinton.    Three  years  later  Jay  and  Yates  were  the 
candidates,  and  Jay  was  elected. 


446  FAMILY     LETTERS 

advise  him  not.  This  I  believe;  for  sure  I  am  it  never  was 
their  intentions.  He  is  not  the  man  for  them  and  I,  who 
hate  Clinton,  must  now  out  of  revenge  take  him  up;  for  I 
am  sure  Yates  would  come  forward  if  he  might  be  left  to 
judge  for  himself.  I  shall  write  you  freely  soon.  Mr. 
[Jacob]  Ford,  I  hear,  is  to  be  held  up  for  Senator  by  Jay's 
party.  We  propose  my  brother  John  Livingston.1 

The  new  road  that  A/tr.  Hogeboom  mentioned  to  me,  I 
could  not  get  our  members  to  agree  in;  for  which  reason 
Mr.  Ford  moved  at  my  request  for  £200  for  the  long  bridge 
at  Millers  and  Doctor  Vrooman.  The  Commission  Law 
has  passed  our  House,  but  I  fear  the  Senate.  We  have  also 
got  £800  for  Kinderhook  Bridge. 

I  have  no  time  to  say  more,  all  things  in  this  city  in  con 
fusion.  I  hear  your  friend  Platt  is  some  what  injured  by 
Duer,  and  many  others,  particularly  Mrs.  McCarty,  the 
Bawdy  House  keeper,  and  Parson  Moore.  I  am  sincerely 
and  aify.  Yours, 

H.  LIVINGSTON. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Claverack,  Columbia 
County. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  May  I7th,  1792. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  tell  you  that  we  had  a  most  agree 
able  pleasant  jaunt  to  Pettibone  the  first  day.  I  beg  you 
to  accept  my  thanks  for  your  and  family's  attention.  We 
parted  on  Monday  morning  before  breakfast,  and  Sally  rode 
on  horse  back  in  three  hours  and  a  few  minutes  to  Lee's  at 


1  Livingston  was  elected. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        447 

New  Hartford,  where  I  rested  and  spent  three  hours  to 
examine  my  tan  works  buildings,  &c.,  &c.,  and  after  all 
that  arrived  home  before  sundown,  and  all  hands  drank 
tea  with  our  mutual  friend  Colo.  Chester,  who  behaves  up 
to  the  Charm.  I  was  surprised  to  find  Sally  stand  the 
jaunt  so  well.  My  Mrs.  Webb  was  much  disappointed 
that  I  did  not  bring  on  any  of  the  young  ladies.  Tell  Mr. 
Hogeboom  and  lady,  that  if  they  will  pay  us  a  visit  we  shall 
be  happy  to  see  them,  and  they  will  find  in  Colo.  Chester, 
the  old  lady,  Mr.  Mitchell,  and  some  others,  a  pretty  circle 
of  friends  that  will  be  happy  to  welcome  them  here. 
Brother  Jack  arrived  home  on  Tuesday  evening.  He 
thinks  of  writing  you  by  the  stage,  so  I  shall  refer  you  to 
him  for  the  business  you  mentioned.  I  have  enough  to  do 
to  crack  one's  brains,  but  I  endeavor  to  keep  steady  and 
do  the  best  I  can.  Wadsworth  got  home  last  Thursday. 
I  saw  him  yesterday,  but  not  a  word  passed  on  business. 
I  drank  tea  with  him  and  all  was  clever.  We  are  cold 
friends,  yet  we  are  Friends.  We  are  so-so,  and  so-so  is 
pretty  well.  I  have  written  Gerry  G.  Beekman  this  post. 
I  hope  he  will  come  in  with  the  rest.  I  hardly  know  which 
way  to  turn.  I  have  valuable  Friends  and  connections 
here,  but  nothing  can  I  determine  untill  I  converse  freely 
with  Wadsworth.  Jo.  Barrel  is  agoing  to  build  in  Charles- 
town,  on  Cobble  Hill,  and  gives  over  the  thoughts  of  going 
Southard.  This  is  rather  another  disappointment,  but  I 
am  used  to  them.  My  Mrs.  Webb  is  sorry  she  did  not  go 
along  with  me;  I  confess  I  am  sorry.  Tell  the  good  Doctor 
I  am  much  pleased  with  him,  therefore  he  must  be  pleased 
with  me.  So  am  I  with  his  wife,  and  indeed  all  the  family. 
I  think  you  may  be  happy  if  you  can  form  some  line  of 
business  to  support  an  income.  Is  there  the  least  prospect 


448  FAMILY     LETTERS 

of  my  having  a  sufficient  run  of  business  at  Hudson,  should 
I  buy  a  place  there?  I  know  where  I  shall  settle.  I  be 
lieve  on  the  whole  I  shall  do  well  to  get  thro  with  my  busi 
ness  and  settle  down  in  this  town.  Depend  upon  it  my 
old  business  once  settled,  I  should  be  able  to  do  business  to 
much  advantage,  be  respected,  loved  and  honored.  Such 
cursed  old  Accounts  to  settle  would  make  the  Angel 
Gabriel  have  enemies.  They  once  settled,  friends  would  be 
as  before.  But  to  be  honest  I  shall  not  hardly  think  of 
any  plan  at  present.  I  suppose  any  conjecture  would  be 
wrong.  I  could  go  into  Partnership  at  Hartford.  I  could 
doubtless  make  a  handsome  affair  of  it,  if  I  would  go  back 
upon  some  new  lands  I  have  in  Vermont.  But  the  educa 
tion  of  my  family  is  a  very  serious  matter.  I  cant  think 
of  going  to  Boston  or  New  York  for  many  reasons.  I  am 
quite  at  a  loss.  I  am  at  present  mighty  happy  in  this  old 
mansion -- plenty  and  enjoy  myself,  all  healthy,  and  in 
fine  spirits.  Sally  got  home  without  the  least  fatigue  and 
met  with  a  great  number  of  friends  and  connections  that 
evening,  but  was  urged  to  go  to  a  grand  Ball  at  Hartford 
that  same  evening.  But  she  wisely  stayed  at  home,  and 
we  had  a  happy  jovial  meeting.  All  seemed  happy  to  meet 
us.  She  feels  with  gratitude  your  politeness,  and  will 
write  her  Aunt  and  the  girls  so  soon  as  a  good  and  private 
opportunity  offers,  which  I  trust  will  be  in  a  few  days. 
Has  Henry  Livingston  got  home?  What  said  he  about 
me?  How  is  your  little  daughter?  When  leisure  and  op 
portunity  offers,  write.  I  show  Jack  your  memorandum; 
but  he  has  since  been  to  Hartford,  but  has  said  nothing  to 
me  on  the  subject.  Have  you  written  by  some  private 
opportunity  to  Eleazer  Miller?  Why  cant  you  come  and 
spend  some  time  with  Kitty,  and  let  us  take  Bones  of  our 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB         449 

Bones  and  make  a  party  to  Jo.  Barrel,  and  we'll  add  Colo. 
Chester.  Barrel  wishes  it  extremely,  tho  I  believe  he's 
extreemly  busy  in  His  new  buildings.  I  am  with  love  to 
the  family,  your  aff. 

J.  WEBB. 

Mrs.  Ludlow  was  to  have  written  or  given  Sally  some 
account  of  her  situation,  that  I  might  acquaint  Mrs. 
Porter.  She  forgot  it  I  suppose.  You  may  tell  her  I  will 
do  all  she  requests  of  me.  Our  salmon  and  shad  fishery 
continue  fine. 


FROM  JAMES  STUART. 

NEW  YORK,  June  I2th,  1792. 
Sir: 

I  beg  your  pardon  in  omiting  your  oil,  which  I  now  send 
with  ten  gallons  brandy,  doz.  tea  spoons,  and  child's 
whistle,  a  band  box.  I  wish  I  could  likewise  send  you  the 
hams,  but  good  ones  is  not  to  be  had.  Should  any  come  to 
market  I  will  not  forget  you  and  Coin.  Livingston.  I  am 
sorry  for  the  los  of  the  wine,  for  I  have  frequently  warned 
the  cooper  of  them.  I  hope  you  do  not  think  it  a  neglect 
of  mine. 

We  are  all  don  over,  over,  over.  O,  with  respect  to 
Govener,  thay  throwed  out  the  Otsego  votes  becaus  that 
they  had  made  use  of  Tow  Twine  insted  of  tape  in  seling 
up  as  the  Law  requires,  or  some  such  foolish  thing,  not 
forgeting  that  Otsego  had  no  sherrif.  While  I  am  writing 
Coin.  B.  is  discharging  his  cannon  for  joy  of  one  hunder 
and  eight  majority.  I  am  with  respect  to  Mrs.  Webb,  and 
hope  this  wil  fined  you  all  in  health,  as  I  am,  &c.,  &c. 

JAMES  STUART. 


450  FAMILY     LETTERS 

FROM  JAMES  STUART. 

NEW  YORK,  June  21,  1792. 
Kind  Sir: 

I  received  thirty  dollars  from  Mr.  Hogeboom,  for  which 
I  return  you  my  thanks,  and  now  send  you  eight  hams. 
Thair  was  12  came  from  Brunswick,  but  Capt.  H.  Livings 
ton  requested  four.  If  thay  pleas  you,  and  should  more 
come  to  hand,  I  will  retain  some  for  my  friends  order.  My 
wife  sends  the  fringe,  and  if  thair  should  be  any  thing  more 
that  Mrs.  Webb  should  want  she  has  no  more  than  to  lay 
her  commands. 

By  this  time  you  have  received  the  things  by  Hathaway ', 
as  likewise  my  letter.  We  have  had  a  glorious  meting 
about  the  Govener  as  you  will  see  by  the  papers;  as  thay 
will  inform  you  much  better  then  I  can,  I  will  conclude. 
Wishing  you  and  yours  health  and  happiness  I  am,  Dear 
Sir,  yours, 

JAMES  STUART. 

N.  B.  if  it  is  your  wish  I  will  pay  Mr.  Van  Voorhies 
bill. 


FROM  GILBERT  ASPINWALL.* 

NEW  YORK,  July  29th,  1792. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  received  the  certificates  from  Mr.  Bancker  for 
the  greater  part  of  the  orders  you  forwarded  me,  and  shall 
send  them  to  you  by  the  first  good  private  opportunity. 

1  Son  of  John  Aspinwall,  of  Flushing,  who  died  of  a  paralytic  stroke, 
July  15,  1774,  aged  sixty-eight. 


SAMUEL     BLACHLEYWEBB  45! 

The  postage  would  be  too  heavy  if  I  was  to  send  them  by 
post. 

I  have  requested  in  a  letter  to  you  (inclosed  with  the 
Certificates)  that  you  would  purchase  for  me,  provided  you 
thought  he  would  make  a  good  chaise  horse,  the  three 
year  old  colt  I  saw  at  Claverack,  if  he  can  be  had  at  £45 
delivered  to  you,  or  50  if  the  owner  will  deliver  him  to  me 
here  sound.  If  the  owner  will  take  £45  I  will  be  much 
obliged  to  you  to  send  him  by  some  of  your  packets,  and 
I  will  send  up  the  money  immediately.  If  the  Grey  Horse 
can  be  had  at  the  same  price,  or  even  £5  more,  I  would 
like  him  quite  as  well. 

With  best  respects  to  Mrs.  Webb  and  your  Brother  I  am, 
Dr.  Sir,  your  friend, 

G.  ASPINWALL. 


FROM  RICHARD  PLATT. 

NEW  YORK,  Thursday,  25 th  October,  1792. 
Dear  General: 

I  have  been  long  in  expectation  of  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
you,  or  should  have  written  you  ere  now.  Last  Saturday 
the  Commodore  shipped  Pompey  for  home,  but  I  dont 
know  the  Captain's  name,  I  hope  he  has  arrived  safe 
and  sound.  Many  thanks  are  due  for  him.  I  did  not  go 
to  the  Brush  myself.  Old  Corn[elius]  and  J.  Winter  went 
and  had  a  pleasing  jaunt  of  a  week,  and  got  in  company 
with  Skinner  10  brace. 

I  hope  you  mean  soon  to  visit  New  York.  Till  when  I 
am,  Dr.  Sir,  with  complts.  to  Mrs.  Webb  and  Brother 
Jack,  as  always  your  friend  and  Servt., 

RICHARD  PLATT. 


452  FAMILY   LETTERS 

FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

Dear  Brother:  WETHERSFIELD,  April  i,  1793. 

I  have  written  you  by  several  different  routes;  not  cer 
tain  that  one  will  arrive  to  you.     I  almost  wish  I  had  sent 
off  express,  but  the  uncertainty  of  General  Webb  being  at 
Claverack,  the  expense  and  a  variety  of  matters.     You 
must  know  Trumbull  expected  you  over  the  first  week  in 
March,    and    is    much    disappointed   you    did    not   come. 
Finally  I  sent  off  Jerry  express  for  you.     You  not  comeing 
I  was  obliged  to  meet  the  Auditors,  and  was  happy  enough 
to  be  as  well  prepared  as  Barny  and  Jesse,  and  rather  better. 
They  moved  for  an  adjournment  on  Account  of  General 
Webb's  having  a  particular  book  which  Barny  says  he  gave 
General  Webb,  which  he  promised  to  return  him  but  has 
not;  therefore  if  there  is  such  a  book,  it  must  be  exhibited. 
Therefore  you  will  be  here  on  Tuesday  morning  at  nine 
o'clock,  with  all  the  papers  and  exhibits.     It  will  be  well 
to  be  in  due  season  so  as  to  plan  together.     I  have  much  to 
say,  but  am  crazy  for  want  of  money,  Money,  Money.     I 
hope  we  shall  all  meet  once  more  together.     Sally  is  yet 
in  Boston.     Our  family  mighty  well  and  tolerable  happy. 
Next  week  we  shall  have  plenty  of  salmon.     I  would  send 
your  garden  seeds   if  I   had   an  opportunity.     Jerry  got 
home  Saturday  evening.     Let  me  advise  you  to  get  your 
plank  sawed  immediately,  rough  plained  dressed,  piled  up; 
the  April  weather  will  season  it  beyond  all  description. 
Mind  to  let  the  air  pass  thro,  but  covered  from  rain;  but 
let  the  air  have  free  passage.     I  hope  I  have  said  enough 
to  make  you  come  in  season.     Bring  me  some  corn  sallad 
seed.     Farewell.     I  am  your  affy.  fd  and  Brother, 

Jos.  WEBB. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB      453 

FROM  BENJAMIN  MOORE. 

COXSACKIE,  6th  September,  1794. 
Dear  Sir: 

Yours  of  this  day  I  have  received.  Am  sorry  for  the 
loss  of  Mr.  Hogeboom,  and  particularly  so,  when  I  consider 
that  it  debars  us  of  the  company  of  our  friends.  However 
shall  expect  you  by  the  time  last  mentioned  at  farthest. 
I  am  happy  to  hear  that  you  have  a  letter  from  the  Doctor, 
otherwise  there  would  have  been  great  anxiety  for  their 
welfare,  &c. 

I  observe  you  have  had  some  sport  among  the  pigeons 
upon  the  old  ground.  One  thing  you  may  promise  your 
self  when  here,  that  is  to  have  a  little  fun  among  the  black 
birds,  and  probably  ducks.  Please  to  present  my  love  to 
Mrs.  Webb  and  others  of  our  friends  at  Claverack  and  be 
lieve,  Dr.  Sir,  your  sincerest  Friend, 

BENJ.  MOORE. 

Peaches  are  a  fruit  that  we  cannot  get  at  this  place. 


FROM  AMBROSE  SPENCER.  1 
Dear  General: 

The  rule  on  the  sheriff  can  only  be  to  return  the  Exami 
nation  in  20  days,  and  he  has  a  right  to  make  the  usual 
return  that  the  goods  are  on  hand,  unsold  for  want  of 
bidders.  If  after  this  the  sheriff  proceeds,  in  my  opinion 

1  In  February,  1804,  Ambrose  Spencer  was  appointed  a  Puisne  Jus 
tice  in  place  of  Jacob  Radcliff,  who  resigned;  and  in  1819  became 
Chief  Justice  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  Judicature.  He  was  as  capable 
a  politician  as  judge,  and  took  an  active  part  in  a  very  active  period 
in  New  York  politics.  One  of  his  opponents  was  Chancellor  Kent. 


454  FAMILY     LETTERS 

he  acts  like  a  rascal,  and  I  should  not  hesitate  to  tell  him 
so.  I  shall  see  him  in  a  few  days.  I  am  this  moment 
getting  off  for  Da[torn]. 

Yours  in  haste,  A.  SPENCER. 

[HUDSON],  Deer.  24th,  1798. 


FROM  HEZEKIAH  L.  HosMER.1 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  only  time  to  inform  you  that  I  have  this  moment 
received  your  letter  and  Mrs.  Vrooman's,  and  that  I  will 
immediately  attend  to  her  request.  To  draw  a  will2  such 
as  she  desires  will  take  some  time  and  be  the  result  of 
considerable  reflection.  This  will  retard  it  some  days. 

We  yesterday  ordered  1200  copies  of  the  new  dispatches 
communicated  to  us  by  the  President  to  be  printed.3  I 
shall  inclose  them  as  soon  as  possible.  Give  my  love  to  all 
friends.  H.  L.  HOSMER. 

[PHILADELPHIA,]  January  22<d,  1799. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Hudson,  New  York.  Free. 
H.  L.  Hosmer. 


FROM  HEZEKIAH  L.  HOSMER. 

My  Dear  Friend: 

You  may  suppose  perhaps  from  my  long  silence  that  I 
have  forgotten  you  and  been  unattentive  to  your  wishes. 

1  A  lawyer  and  now  representative  in  the  Fifth   Congress.     He 
does  not  appear  to  have  had  any  previous  service  in  the  State  legislature. 

2  For  Mrs.  Wimple. 

1  The   papers   on  the  relations  with   France,  which  included  the 
X.  Y.  Z.  letters  and  Pickering's  elaborate  statement. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        455 

In  this,  however,  you  would  do  me  injustice.  I  have  at 
tended  to  your  request  and  have  almost  cbmpleated  the 
will.  I  hope  to  be  able  to  transmit  it  to  you  in  a  few  days. 
From  the  provisions  of  it  you  may  suppose  that  it  would 
necessarily  be  a  work  of  time,  and  here  very  little  of  our 
time  is  unoccupied. 

We  yesterday  passed  in  our  House  a  bill  to  augment  our 
Navy  by  building  six  ships  of  74  guns.  This  measure  was 
violently  opposed,  but  at  last  carried  by  a  majority  of 
twelve. 

We  have  no  news.  Our  papers  are  entirely  barren  or  I 
would  inclose  one. 

Give  my  love  to  Mrs.  Webb,  Mrs.  Vrooman,  and  all  our 
friends  at  Claverack.  I  am  yours  &c., 

H.  L.  HOSMER. 

February  1 2th,  1799. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

SALISBURY,  2ist  February,  1800. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  received  your  friendly  letter,  dated  I2th  instant  two 
days  since.  It  gave  us  great  pleasure  to  hear  that  our 
sister  was  comfortable,  and  that  the  child  was.  Please  to 
remember  us  to  her,  in  which  Mary  joins.  She,  Mary, 
arrived  here  on  Sunday  morning. 

We  should  have  been  made  happy  to  have  you  and  your 
friends  have  come  instead  of  the  letter,  though  I  have  so 
frequently  been  told  of  your  coming  and  been  disappointed, 
that  I  never  shall  believe  that  you  intend  coming  till  I  see 
you  at  my  house.  I  expect  to  leave  this  for  Hartford  on 
Monday  next  with  Mary,  and  to  return  on  Saturday;  when, 


456  FAMILY     LETTERS 

after  you  pay  us  a  visit,  I  intend  her  to  come  and  see  her 
aunt  and  friends,  which  she  very  much  wishes. 

I  have  been  trying  to  purchase  you  a  fat  ox,  but  find  it 
extreemly  difficult  to  [do]  without  purchasing  a  pair,  as  they 
do  not  chuse  to  sell  one  alone.  I  am  just  informed  that  Mr. 
Sedem  has  a  pair.  I  intend  seeing  him,  when  I  will  write 
you. 

We  left  at  your  house  our  umbrella  and  a  corn  broom;  be 
so  good  if  you  see  any  of  my  neighbors  to  send  them  to  us. 

Grain  in  cash  is  much  hire  here  than  with  you. 

I  suppose  you  have  heard  that  Amos  Bull  has  served  a 
Petition  of  Devorse  on  our  Sister  Abby.  God  bless  them, 
and  take  them  to  themselves. 

I  am,  my  Dear  Brother,  wishing  you  perfect  happiness 
and  yours.  Yours  affectionately, 

JOHN  WEBB. 


FROM  DAVID  THOMAS.  1 

ALBANY,  8th  March,  1800. 
Dear  Sir: 

Yesterday  the  House  determined  against  committing 
the  bill  for  annexing  Columbia  County  to  the  eastern  dis 
trict.  Mr.  Van  Renslair 2  then  asked  and  obtained  leave 
to  withdraw  it.  We  have  passed  a  bill  to  revise  the 
statutes  of  this  state,  but  have  not  appointed  the  Commis 
sioners.  Judges  Kent  and  Radcliff  are  spoken  of,  Judge 
Yates  and  Mr.  Emot 3  are  also  mentioned.  We  have  also 
passed  a  bill  engaging  to  pay  the  debt  assumed  by  Congress, 

1  He  represented  Washington  County  in  the  Assembly,  1798-1800. 

2  John  Robert  Van  Rensselaer,  of  Columbia  County. 

3  Thomas  Addis  Emmet. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        457 

which  is  equal  to  about  660,000  dollars  specie.  I  was  op 
posed  to  it  for  several  reasons.  I  believe  the  ballance 
between  the  several  states  was  unfairly  struck,  and  am  per 
suaded,  had  we  not  been  so  precipitate  in  closing  with  this 
proposal,  one  more  advantageous  would  have  been  offered. 
This  appropriation  will  very  materially  affect  our  funds, 
which  are  already  very  much  exhausted.  If  a  better  bar 
gain  could  have  been  obtained,  or  a  probable  prospect  of  it, 
I  think  it  bad  polacy  not  to  seek  it  before  we  involve  our 
selves  in  a  debt  so  heavy  and,  as  I  believe,  so  unjust;  but 
as  I  am  in  the  house,  cannot  enlarge.  Shall  be  happy  to 
hear  from  you.  Present  my  profound  respects  to  Mrs. 
Webb  and  all  friends  and  accept  the  same  yourself.  From 
your  unfeigned  friend, 

DAVID  THOMAS. 

Addressed:  General  Samuel  B.  Webb,  Claverack,  Columbia  County. 
Sheriff  Ten  Broeck. 


FROM  MARY  N.  WEBB. 

PLEASANT  HILL/  I7th  March,  1800. 
Monday  Morning. 

My  Dearest  Uncle: 

I  have  but  a  moment's  time  allowed  me  to  enquire  after 
your  health,  after  my  affectionate  Aunt  Webb,  and  the 
lovely  children.  As  your  Brother  Mr.  Hogeboom  is  below 
and  leaves  us  directly  for  home,  I  put  off  writing,  not  ex 
pecting  him  here  till  afternoon.  He  has  made  us  but  a 
short  visit.  Uncle  and  the  family  are  well  pleased  with 
him.  I  am  sorry  he  could  not  stay  and  attend  the  Play  with 
us  this  evening.  When  you  see  Papa,  Uncle,  I  will  thank 

1  Near  Boston. 


458  FAMILY     LETTERS 

you  to  tell  him  I  am  very  well  and  happy.  Your  letter 
gave  Uncle  and  Aunt  much  pleasure.  Could  you  have 
seen  the  reception  it  met  with  I  think  it  would  induce  you 
to  write  often.  I  will  be  much  obliged  to  you  Uncle  to 
put  the  inclosed  immediately  into  the  Hudson  post  office. 
I  anticipate  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  and  your  lovely 
family  next  June.  Till  then  I  must  bid  you  adieu.  My 
kind  love  to  Aunt,  and  accept  the  heartfelt  affection  of 
your  niece,  MARY  N.  WEBB. 


FROM  RICHARD  PLATT. 

NEW  YORK,  October  I4th,  1800. 
Dear  Sir: 

Enquiring  of  your  health  of  our  friend  Jacob  Renssalaer 
a  few  days  past  I  was  very  much  gratified  to  hear  it  was 
better  than  I  was  apprehensive  of.  I  pray  you,  my  good 
sir,  that  it  may  continue  and  get  as  much  better  established 
as  possible  from  the  nature  of  circumstances. 

At  last,  after  so  many  years  of  stagnation,  I  am  in  hopes 
of  being  once  more  again  free.  I  am  now  in  the  hands  of 
the  Commissioners  of  Bankruptcy,  and  by  the  I3th  of 
next  month  my  fate  will  be  determined;  but  unless  %  of 
my  creditors  in  no.  and  Amt.  will  consent  to  a  certificate 
of  discharge,  it  cannot  be  obtained. 

Miss  Aspinwall  is  now  taking  some  of  the  medicine 
prescribed  by  our  late  worthy  friend  Doctor  Vrooman. 
The  prescription  allots  four  equal  parts  to  be  put  in  a  pint 
of  water  each.  She  wishes  me  to  enquire  of  you  whether 
there  ought  to  be  a  continuation  beyond  the  four  pints 
or  not;  in  other  words  whether  she  should  go  on  with 
another  quantity  or  portion  of  it.  Be  pleased  to  inform  me 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        459 

about  this,  and  all  other  things  relating  to  your  interest, 
&c.  I  am,  Dr.  Sir,  with  best  wishes  for  your  health  and 
happiness  and  that  of  your  family,  truly  and  sincerely 
your  friend,  &c.,  RICHARD  PLATT. 

Mrs.  Platt  has  within  a  few  days  presented  me  with  a 
fine  little  daughter,  and  she  is  in  a  fair  way  of  recovery  at 
Flushing.  I  have  now  two  boys  and  a  girl  living. 


FROM  DAVID  A.  OGDEN. 

Sir: 

Your  letter  addressed  to  David  C.  Ogden  was  forwarded 
by  me  to  David  B.  Ogden  of  New  York,  the  Administrator 
of  my  father's  estate  and  for  whom  I  presume  you  in 
tended  it. 

The  enclosed  letter  he  has  requested  me  to  forward  and 
I  presume  it  will  furnish  you  with  the  information  required. 

It  is  now  more  than  eight  years  since  I  left  my  father's 
office,  during  which  time  I  have  been  in  business  on  my  own 
account.  I  have  no  recollection  of  the  debts  alluded  to 
in  your  letter.  With  due  respect  I  am,  sir,  your  most  obt. 
servt., 

DAVID  A.  OGDEN. 

NEW  YORK,  Novr.  loth,  1800. 


FROM  L.  DEL.ABIGARRE. 

TIVOLI,  REDHOOK  LANDING,  August  15,  1801. 
General: 

Being  informed  that  you  want  a  pointer  for  this  season, 
I  can  secure  one  to  you  for  half  the  price  it  cost  me,  viz. 


460  FAMILY     LETTERS 

IO  dollars.  It  is  a  fine  well  broken  bitch,  which  I  bought 
3  years  ago  for  20  dollars  from  a  Swiss  gentleman.  She 
fetches  any  kind  of  game  even  out  of  the  water.  If  you 
send  for  her  within  a  fortnight  you  may  have  her;  but  as 
I  am  unwell  and  have  no  hope  of  enjoying  any  sport  this 
season,  I  will  send  her  to  N.  York  by  the  1st  of  September. 
Thus  I  thought  to  make  you  this  offer  before.  Yours  most 
respectfully, 

LD.  DEL.ABIGARRE. 


FROM  JAMES  ALEXANDER^ 

TRENTON,  August  29,  1801. 
Dear  Sir: 

The  deed  from  Davis  and  wife  to  the  Trustees  came  safe 
to  hand,  but  on  account  of  its  not  being  acknowledged, 
had  not  the  desired  effect.  We  were  cast;  the  Widow  of 
Davis  has  gained  her  Dower,  tho  not  in  equity  and  good 
conscience  entitled  to  it.  The  only  thing  now  remaining 
is  to  find  out  the  Deed  from  Peter  Sutfin,  Peter  Dumont 
and  John  Tenbrooeck  to  John  Duyckinck,  if  possible, 
which  I  presume  and  hope  are  among  your  papers.  Now, 
sir,  if  you  will  be  so  oblidging  as  to  send  the  Deed  above 
mentioned  by  Doctor  John  Howell,  an  honest  and  careful 
man,  if  he  should  call  on  you  on  his  return  from  Albany; 
but  if  his  business  should  oblige  him  to  go  some  other  rout, 
please  to  send  the  Deed  enclosed  by  the  mail  to  me,  or  if 
you  would  rather,  to  your  friend  Gov.  Richard  Howell, 
who  will  be  careful  of  any  papers  committed  to  his  charge. 

1  Son  of  James  Alexander,  of  New  Perth,  Charlotte  County,  who 
died  in  1783.  He  left  a  wife,  Catherine,  and  two  children,  Jenny  and 
James. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        461 

I  have  been  at  a  great  deal  of  trouble  and  expense  al 
ready  about  this  business,  and  should  I  now  fail  in  getting 
the  above  mentioned  Deed,  I  shall  be  ruined,  for  I  am  poor. 
I  am  with  respect  yours,  &c., 

JAMES  ALEXANDER. 


FROM  JAMES  A.  BAYARD.1 

WASHINGTON,  12  January,  1802. 
Dear  Sir: 

The  letter  you  wrote  me  on  the  5th  instant  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  receiving  last  evening. 

The  prospect  is  not  so  flattering  as  you  seem  to  imagine 
as  to  the  recovery  of  your  debt  due  from  Mr.  Vining. 

Mr.  Vining  had  two  plantations,  the  only  known  funds 
from  which  his  creditors  could  expect  anything.  There 
were  incumbrances  against  them  of  long  standing  and  to 
large  amount.  He  sold  the  principal  plantation  to  a  Mr. 
McClyments  for  ten  thousand  dollars.  The  purchaser 
undertook  to  discharge  the  incumbrances  to  the  amount  of 
his  purchase,  and  in  order  to  protect  himself  against  charges 
to  a  greater  amount  took  a  mortgage  in  the  sum  of  £1000 
on  the  other  plantation.  This  mortgage  is  a  short  time  an 
terior  to  the  date  of  our  judgment.  It  has  been  impossible 
for  me  to  get  an  account  from  McClyment  of  what  is  due 
under  the  mortgage,  and  it  has  been  equally  impracticable 
to  ascertain  what  is  due  on  outstanding  judgments.  There 
is  a  long  list  open  on  the  records,  and  Vining  himself  does 
not  know  whether  they  have  been  paid. 

The  remaining  plantation  I  have  generally  heard  esti- 

1  James  Asheton  Bayard,  of  Delaware,  then  in  the  United  States 
House  of  Representatives. 


462  FAMILY    LETTERS 

mated  at  the  value  of  dollars  4000.  Much  will  depend 
upon  the  sale.  It  is  in  a  part  of  the  country  where  there 
can  be  little  competition  if  the  land  be  sold  at  auction. 

We  have  gone  through  all  the  forms  necessary  to  enable 
a  sale,  and  process  has  issued  for  the  sale,  but  with  direc 
tions  not  to  sell  under  4000  dollars.  Should  it  sell  for  less 
we  probably  should  get  nothing;  and  even  if  it  sell  for 
that  sum  I  can  give  no  assurances  as  to  what  we  are  likely 
to  get.  The  property  is  so  involved  in  incumbrances,  and 
those  incumbrances  so  involved  in  obscurity,  that  I  suspect 
no  one  is  precisely  acquainted  with  the  state  of  the  business. 

The  only  compulsory  remedy  we  have  to  obtain  a  dis 
closure  and  an  account  from  McClyment  is  a  Bill  in  Chan 
cery.  I  have  avoided  that  step  owing  to  the  trouble, 
expence  and  delay  which  attends  it.  In  the  course  of  the 
ensuing  summer  I  flatter  myself  the  affair  may  be  finally 
adjusted;  and  there  shall  be  no  exertion  wanting  on  my 
part  to  [the]  accomplishment  [of]  a  settlement  most  fa 
vourable  to  your  interest. 

I  should  have  been  much  gratified  in  having  had  it  in  my 
power  to  present  you  with  better  prospects,  but  I  could 
not  consent  to  create  hopes  which  ultimately  might  be 
disappointment.  I  have  the  honor  to  be  Sir,  your  very 
obt.  Servt., 

J.  A.  BAYARD. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  February  2,  1802. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  expected  before  this  to  have  been  at  your  house,  but 
have  waited  for  a  letter  from  you  about  H.  Livingston]. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        463 

James  Fortune  tells  me  he  saw  you.  Pray  what  could  call 
the  fellow  there  —  for  no  good.  I  hope  you'll  have  noth 
ing  to  do  with  him.  He  is  the  very  fellow  that  lives  in 
the  Mansion  house,  but  more  of  this  when  I  see  you.  Jack 
has  not  been  down  since  some  time  in  October.  He  talks 
of  building  on  his  farm  at  Canaan.  Tryon  is  a  very 
worthy  respectable  good  man.  He  comes  to  enquire 
about  Tenbrock  farm,  the  Webbs'  farm,  &c.  I  have  re 
ferred  him  to  you  for  advice.  Any  attention  paid  him  will 
be  paid  to  one  of  my  best  friends  and  to  a  charming  worthy 
man.  I  hope  your  good  wives  disorder  has  gone  into  her 
arms  before  this.  Mrs.  John  Chester  was  put  to  bed  with 
a  fine  boy  last  Fryday  evening.  I  have  not  time  to  add 
only  that  I  am,  with  love  to  you  all,  your  most  friendly, 

Jos.  WEBB. 

I  suspect  Mr.  Fortune  was  after  some  land,  but  I  think 
you  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  him  or  any  other  person 
untill  I  see  you.  Capt.  Tryon  has  plenty  of  money,  but 
wants  a  good  bargain  or  none.  He  has  established  one 
son  at  Hartford  very  handsomely  with  John  Morgan.  I 
think  you  will  be  pleased  with  Capt.  Tryon  and  I  trust  will 
render  him  every  service  he  may  want.  He  thinks  much 
of  moving  on  a  large  farm,  yet  near  some  good  town  for 
navigation,  as  he  has  several  fine  smart  active  sons,  all  well 
acquainted  with  trade  and  navigation.  Should  he  move  to 
your  quarter  it  will  be  an  acquisition  to  your  party.  He 
and  his  good  wife  are  charming.  Her  great  fear  is  about 
meeting  on  Sunday,  but  it's  not  far  to  Hudson,  where  I 
suppose  is  a  steady  Decenting  meeting,  Quaker  meetings, 
Church  of  England,  or  almost  any  other  meeting.  But 
Claverack,  I  can't  say  much  about  their  church  or  meetings. 


464  FAMILY     LETTERS 

So  I  find  Killy  1  has  obtained  his  wish  about  getting  the 
clerkship  of  your  county.  Oh  Jefferson!  We  Federalists 
are  much  alarmed  and  fear  the  Constitution  is  gone,  or 
rather  going.  What  can  be  done  to  save  it?  We  must 
exert  ourselves.  Your  friend  Colo.  Chester  is  extreemly 
warm.  Tryon  is  a  good  Federalist.  For  any  further  in 
formation  I  must  refer  you  to  Capt.  Tryon.  I  believe  he 
will  be  in  company  with  Capt.  Clark,  who  I  think  you  must 
have  known  at  Middletown,  and  heard  of  his  gallant  action 
of  retaking  his  vessel  some  years  ago  from  the  British; 
after  which  he  retired  on  a  fine  farm  at  Canaan  and  lives 
very  gentealy  and  clever,  and  is  said  to  be  very  worthy 
good  man. 


CHURCH  SUBSCRIPTION^ 

The  Subscribers,  sensibly  impressed  with  the  importance 
of  a  strict  observance  of  the  Lords  day,  and  the  duty  of 
worshipping  the  Deity  in  a  language  generally  understood; 
and  there  being  but  one  church  in  the  Village  of  Claversack, 
and  the  service  performed  in  that  unintelligible  to  many 
pious  and  well  disposed  persons. 

In  duty  to  our  God,  to  the  community,  and  to  the  rising 
generation,  for  the  promotion  of  morality  and  religion,  for 
the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  the  Village,  We  do  severally 
promise  to  pay  the  Vestry  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  this  place,  when  such  Vestry  shall  be  legally 

1  Killian    Hogeboom    was    appointed   clerk   of    Columbia   County, 
January  8,  1802,  succeeding  Jacob  R.  Van  Rensselaer.     He  remained 
in  office  until  June  14,  1808. 

2  Of  unknown  date,  but  inserted  in  this  place  because  of  the  remarks 
contained  in  Joseph  Webb's  letter,  above. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        465 

organized;  the  sums  annexed  to  our  respective  names,  to 
be  by  them  applied,  to  the  purchase  of  a  lot  of  ground,  and 
erecting  a  church  and  such  other  uses  as  they  may  deem 
most  proper  to  advance  the  cause  of  knowledge  and  virtue. 
J.  Rutsen  Van  Renselaer  one  hundred  &  fifty  dollars 
Dollars  Cents 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

SALISBURY,  yth  March,  1802. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  wrote  you  a  few  days  since  that  a  Mr.  Daniel  Nicols 
had  an  ox  that  would  weigh  from  eight  to  nine  hundred, 
and  that  you  could  have  it  at  the  market  cash  price;  that 
such  been  was  selling  at  at  Hudson  at  six  dollars  per 
hundred  delivered  at  Claverack.  He  is  waiting  for  your 
answer;  he  sais  it  will  have  from  one  hundred  and  twenty 
to  thirty  pounds  of  tallow.  He  expects  the  mony  on  deliv 
ery.  I  wish  you  to  write  him  as  soon  as  possable.  Write 
him,  as  I  expect  the  latter  part  of  next  week  to  go  from 
this.  I  have  agreed  to  sell  Mr.  Phineas  Chapin  the  house 
I  now  live  in,  at  the  rate  of  two  hundred  pounds  L[awful] 
M[oney];  he  will  pay  you  for  your  seventh  at  the  same 
rate  which  your  seventh  will  come  to  £28.  II.  3;  then 
your  fifth  of  a  seventh,  being  your  part  of  our  Sister's 
estate,  will  be  five  pounds  fourteen  shillings  and  sJ^,  for 
which  he  will  pay  you  in  ninety  days.  I  expect  to  leave 
this  some  time  in  May  for  my  farm  in  Canaan  with  my 
family.  We  was  happy  to  hear  that  our  sister  had  a  son 
and  was  very  comfortable.  Mrs.  Webb  joins  me  in  love 
to  you  all.  I  am  affectionately  yours.  Nicols  lives  in  this 
town.  JOHN  WEBB. 


466  FAMILY     LETTERS 

FROM  DAVID  THOMAS. 
My  Dear  Sir:  WASHINGTON,  April  11,  1802. 

Yours  of  the  3ist  ultimo  I  have  received  and  thank  you 
for  your  attention  to  Polly.  I  have  received  a  letter  from 
her  in  New  York.  She  arrived  there  safe  yesterday  week, 
but  declines  visiting  Washington  this  spring,  as  the  session 
is  so  nigh  closing.  I  am  of  opinion  that  we  shall  adjourn 
in  about  10  days. 

With  respect  to  our  friend  Dr.  Malcom  he  may  rest 
easy.  I  have  no  apprehensions  that  he  will  be  removed. 
It  is  possible,  however,  that  the  office  may  be  vacated,  tho 
I  question  very  much  whether  that  will  take  place  or  not. 
I  find  the  emoluments  of  the  office  only  about  322  dollars 
a  year,  but  this  is  a  slim  item  in  the  expense  of  a  family. 

As  to  the  suggestions  respecting  yourself,  you  having 
abandoned  the  object  before  you  closed  your  letter  a  reply 
is  unnecessary.  It  will,  however,  always  afford  me  great 
happiness  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  promote  the  wishes 
of  friends  like  Genl.  Webb. 

I  am  sorry  to  hear  from  Polly  that  our  dear  sister  Jane 
is  troubled  with  rheumatism. 

Present  my  love  to  all  my  friends  the  family  in  gross,  and 
particularly  to  my  dear  sister  Webb,  and  believe  me  in 
sincerity  cordially  yours  &c., 

DAVID  THOMAS. 


FROM  JAMES  STUART. 

Dear  Sir:  NEW  YoRK»  APr11  24»  l8°2- 

Not  until  this  afternoon  could  I  get  an  answer  from  Dr. 
Wilson.     He  says  that  I  may  rely  on  his  paying  the  five 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        467 

hundred  dollars  to  me  on  account  of  Judge  Palmer,  so  that 
you  may  be  easy  on  that  head. 

This  day  a  ship  has  arrived  from  Cozues  in  England  and 
brings  news  to  14  March,  that  the  Congress  at  Amiens  has 
broke  up  without  signing  [a]  Definitive  Treaty,  the  English 
government  having  [have]  order  thirty  sail  of  the  line  im 
mediately  for  sea.  This  will  be  no  bad  thing  for  our 
country,  altho  unfortunate  for  others.  Wishing  you  health 
I  am  your  wel  wisher,  &c., 

JAM.  STUART. 

No.  10  William  street. 


FROM  JAMES  WATSON. 

NEW  YORK,  July  19,  1802. 
Dear  Sir: 

Ogden's  note  I  believe  to  be  paid.  I  passed  it  away  last 
fall  with  an  abatement  of  7  per  cent  discount. 

I  have  not  heard  from  Bayard  on  Vining's  business.  The 
sale  of  Jim  is  acceptable  on  any  terms.  I  wish  to  know 
how  much  land  is  held  for  him.  If  the  title  be  unques 
tionable  and  the  deed  to  me  or  yourself,  what  hinders  my 
conveying  the  lands  so  long  held  in  trust  for  you  ?  I  wish 
to  do  it  while  we  are  both  alive.  I  expect  to  take  my 
journey  in  a  week  or  two  and  shall  probably  be  at  Claverack. 
With  best  respects  to  Mrs.  Webb,  I  am  your  your  obdt. 
and  most  Hble.  Servt., 

JAMES  WATSON. 


468  FAMILY    LETTERS 

FROM  JAMES  WATSON. 

NEW  YORK,  October  3ist,  1802. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

Mr.  Doe  called  upon  me  and  I  stated  to  him  the  nature 
and  course  of  the  transactions  respecting  the  lands. 

He  appeared  to  be  well  satisfied  and  I  am  persuaded  will 
endeavour  to  make  others  so.  I  supposed  you  had  done 
with  the  Ludlows,  and  that  no  obstacle  remained  to  my 
conveying  the  property  to  you  and  riding  myself  of  a  trust 
very  delicate  in  its  nature,  and  at  no  time  since  I  under 
stood  it  perfectly  conformable  to  my  ideas  of  propriety. 

It  is  no  ways  probable  that  Mr.  James  Ludlow  will  call 
upon  me  about  the  business.  If  he  does  I  can  refuse  to 
communicate  at  all  with  him  about  it,  but  I  can  make  no 
representation  to  him  different  from  what  I  have  done  to 
Mr.  Doe. 

As  I  have  unwittingly  been  drawn  into  this  business  I  am 
desirous  to  render  you  every  honest  and  honorable  service 
in  it,  and  to  extricate  myself  from  all  responsibility  in  law 
and  equity  that  may  result  from  it. 

I  know  nothing  about  the  mortgages  of  which  you  speak, 
nor  indeed  of  anything  else  except  what  was  necessary  for 
my  own  government  thus  far.  Twelve  years  this  property 
has  been  in  my  possession.  I  do  not  remember  ever  to 
have  given  you  any  authority  to  dispose  of  it.  The  pur 
chasers  and  payers  of  rent  to  you  are  not  secure.  My 
death  might  involve  them  in  serious  difficulties.  These 
things  ought  not  to  be  so.  A  plan  must  be  immediately 
adopted  to  set  them  all  to  rights.  Hitherto  I  have  been 
inattentive  to  the  subject,  perhaps  culpably  so.  I  pray 
you  to  state  precisely  everything  you  have  done,  and  to 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        469 

do  nothing  further  until  I  have  determined  what  I  ought 
to  do.  I  am  with  perfect  cordiality  your  sincere  and  Hble 
Servt. 

JAMES  WATSON. 


FROM  WILLIAM  CONSTABLE. 

My  Dear  Webb: 

I  did  not  hear  till  Tuesday  that  you  were  in  town  and, 
behold  you,  I  am  laid  up  today  from  having  travelled 
yesterday  in  the  wet.  Come  and  see  us  I  pray  you.  I 
will  call  for  you  tomorrow  and  bring  you  to  dinner  and 
send  you  back,  if  you  will  not  stay  all  night  which  you  may 
as  well  do.  Yrs., 

WM.  CONSTABLE. 

Thursday,  [NEW  YORK,  November,  1802.] 


FROM  DAVID  THOMAS. 

WASHINGTON,  February  8th,  1803. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  should  have  wrote  you  before,  but  generally  having 
engagements  on  hand,  and  as  I  have  left  the  pleasure  of 
corresponding  with  the  family  principally  to  Polly,  my 
leisure  hours  have  been  devoted  to  my  immediate  constitu 
ents.  I  believe  I  have  wrote  you  once,  and  sent  you  now 
and  then  a  Washington  Federalist;  but  as  I  don't  take 
that  paper  myself  it  has  not  been  in  my  power  to  send  them 
regularly. 

Polly  gives  you  all  the  news  as  to  her  parties  and  amuse 
ments.  This  evening  we  have  an  invitation  to  spend  it  at 
Genl.  [Henry]  Dearborn's,  but  decline  the  pleasure.  Polly 


470  FAMILY    LETTERS 

begins  to  be  tired  of  gay  life.  Yesterday  she  received  the 
Marquis  de  Casa  Yrujo's  1  card  to  four  partys  for  the  four 
Wednesdays  while  we  are  to  remain  here.  These  undoubt 
edly  will  be  brilliant,  as  he  has  lately  received  this  royal 
present  for  himself  and  heirs. 

Polly  says  she  cannot  write  this  evening,  and  as  no  doubt 
all  the  family  wish  to  hear  often  from  her  and  her  husband  I 
have  wrote  this  scrawl.  Several  persons,  ladys  and  gentle 
men,  are  now  in  the  room,  and  had  not  ten  minutes  before 
closing  the  mail  when  I  began,  so  that  you  must  judge  of 
it  accordingly. 

Give  our  joint  love  and  compliments  to  our  Sister  Caty 
and  to  all  the  family,  and  accept  yourself  the  assurance  of 
my  high  consideration. 

DAVID  THOMAS. 


FROM  JAMES  A.  BAYARD. 

WASHINGTON,  i6th  February,  1803. 
Sir: 

The  state  of  your  business  in  Delaware  has  not  varied 
since  the  date  of  my  last  letter.  There  is  a  tract  of  land 
which  has  commonly  been  estimated  at  £1500  which  re 
mains  of  Vinings  estate.  If  a  sale  were  .forced,  and  no  one 
having  an  interest  to  raise  the  price  to  the  full  value  at 
tended,  in  all  probability  it  would  be  sacrificed. 

There  is  a  mortgage  of  £1000  before  your  judgment.  It 
is  however  only  a  collateral  security,  and  what  is  due  on  it 
I  do  not  know.  There  are  other  incumbrances,  but  I 


[  The  Spanish  minister  who  married  Governor  McKean's  daughter, 
and  gave  no  little  anxiety  to  the  American  government  by  his  diplo 
matic  behavior. 


SAMUEL    BLACHLEY    WEBB  47! 

cannot  name  the  amount.     I  fear  the  debt  is  lost.     It  is 
possible  a  remnant  of  it  may  be  saved. 

If  things  turn  out  better  than  I  suppose  them,  I  will  lose 
no  time  in  communicating  the  good  news.  I  am  respect 
fully,  your  obdt  Servt.,  J.  A.  BAYARD. 


FROM  THOMAS  M.  MANN. 

HUDSON,  July  12,  1803. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  received  your  message  by  Doctor  Malcolm  stating  that 
the  money  due  on  our  joint  account  is  ready  for  me,  on 
condition  that  I  send  out  to  your  house  for  it,  a  ceremony 
which  I  shall  conform  with  pleasure.  The  amount  of  our 
joint  account  for  inoculating,  testing  and  attendance  on 
your  familly  as  delivered  to  you  by  Doct.  Malcolm  is  four 
teen  dollars,  which  you  [will]  please  to  pay  the  bearer  Mr. 
Holly,  and  this  shall  be  your  receipt  in  full  therefor.  Very 
respectfully  yours,  THOS.  M.  MANN. 


FROM  JOHN  WEBB. 

CANAAN,  December  ist,  1804. 
Dear  Brother: 

Your  letter  dated  the  loth  November  was  yesterday 
handed  [me]  by  Mr.  Taylor  after  it  had  been  by  the  post 
through  mistake  carried  to  Litchfield,  and  where  else  I 
cannot  say.  It  gave  us  all  sincere  pleasure  to  hear  that 
you  was  well,  or  rather  better  than  you  had  been,  and  that 
your  family  were  in  health.  We  promised  ourselves  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  our  sister  and  yourself  here  before  this, 
but  my  Mrs.  W[ebb]  sais  she  now  gives  up  the  idea  of  your 


472  FAMILY     LETTERS 

comeing.  Please  to  remember  us  affectionately  to  our 
sister  and  the  children. 

Was  it  in  my  power  to  loan  you  a  sum  of  mony  I  would 
with  pleasure.  Such  has  been  my  expense  in  defending 
against  an  unjust  suit,  that  I  have  been  obliged  to  pay 
nearly  two  thousand  dollars  cost,  though  I  beat  them. 
Not  only  that  the  death  of  John  King,  Esq,  makes  me 
meet  with  a  loss  of  two  thousand  nine  hundred  dollars,  and 
I  have  been  obliged  to  advance  mony  in  an  unjust  sute 
brought  by  J.  Seagrove,  though  I  expect  in  the  end  I  shall 
receive  a  large  sum.  But  when  a  law  suit  ends  you  know 
is  uncertain.  Not  a  farthing  of  my  sister's  property  have 
I  sold,  of  yours,  or  any  of  the  heirs.  You  have  been  told 
long  since  that  you  were  to  sell  if  you  please  your  part  to 
Mr.  Scovill  and  Chapin.  As  for  the  next  proceeds  of  the 
Stamford  estate,  it  went  to  recover  the  Hoskin  farm,  sold 
to  Scovill,  and  the  other  pieces  of  property  which  I  men 
tioned  to  you.  I  wish  not  by  letter  to  go  into  explanations. 
But  I  have  no  monies  of  yours  or  any  other  persons  in  my 
hands.  But  God  knows  how  willingly  would  I  gratify  you 
if  in  my  power. 

Yes  poor  Barrell  is  no  more.  A  more  worthy  character 
does  not  exist.  He  has  left  a  worthy  sett  of  children  who 
will  feel  most  sensibly  his  loss.  May  God  protect  them. 

Let  me  request  you  to  come  and  bring  our  sister  and  as 
many  of  the  children  as  you  please.  We  will  try  to  make 
their  time  pass  as  agreable  as  we  can  in  our  Hutt.  I  am 
wishing  you  health  prosperity  and  happiness,  here  and 
hereafter.  Your  affect  Br.,  J.  WEBB. 

P.  S.  If  your  sons  want  their  colts  kept  this  winter 
they  shall  fare  as  my  horses,  free  of  expence. 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        473 

J.  CARVER  TO  DR.  JAMES  CLEMENTS. 
Dear  Clements :  CLAVERACK  VILLAGE,  May,  1806. 

Permit  me  to  introduce  to  your  acquaintance  Genl. 
Saml.  Webb,  a  gentleman  to  whose  friendship  and  urbanity 
of  manners  I  am  much  indebted  during  my  residence  in 
this  part  of  the  country. 

It  is  I  trust  more  than  sufficient  to  say  that  Genl.  Webb 
was  the  friend  and  companion  of  our  much  lamented  Gen 
eral  George  Washington  during  the  whole  of  the  Revolution. 

Any  attention  that  the  vacation  of  business  will  permit 
you  to  show  Genl.  Webb  during  his  stay  in  York  will  con 
fer  a  lasting  obligation  on  Yr.  friend,  J.  CARVER. 


FROM  HENRY  LIVINGSTON. 

Dear  General:  JoHN's  TowN>  AuSust  9>  l8°6- 

After  leaving  you  today  at  Fite  Miller's  I  have  altered 
my  intentions  of  passing  thro  Hudson.  I  shall  (I  hope) 
see  Mr.  Van  Ness  on  Monday  at  Albany,  when  I  will  fully 
converse  with  him  on  the  subject  that  employed  our  at 
tention  today,  and  I  shall  hope  that  everything  will  be 
made  agreeable  to  you.  I  am,  sir,  with  best  respects, 
your  Humbl  Servt.,  H.  LIVINGSTON. 


FROM  DAVID  THOMAS. 
My  Dear  Sir:  REP*  HALL'X  J5th  December,  1806. 

Here  we  have  a  prodigious  severe  winter  for  this  place; 
the  sledding  is  very  good  and  the  Potomac  closed.     Have 

1  Hall  of  Representatives,  Washington. 


474  FAMILY    LETTERS 

not  heard  whether  the  cold  weather  extends  to  the  North 
River  or  not.  We  are  going  on  very  cool  and  with  much 
harmony. 

Burr's  movements  excites  much  interest  in  the  public 
mind.  His  real  object  is  not  satisfactorily  understood;  he 
covers  it  under  a  land  speculation.  It  may  be  true,  but 
I  do  not  believe  it.  At  all  events  he  will  be  defeated. 

From  the  Sabine  river  we  are  anxiously  waiting  for  im 
portant  intelligence,  uncertain  whether  it  don't  bring  in 
the  news  of  bloody  noses. 

I  wrote  Polly  last  evening.  Give  my  love  to  her  and  all 
the  family.  Yours  affectionately  in  haste, 

DAVID  THOMAS. 
Genl.  S.  B.  Webb. 


FROM  JOSEPH  WEBB. 

WETHERSFIELD,  April  9th,  1807. 
Dear  Brother: 

Mr.  Bowles  says  he's  going  to  Claverac  in  half  an  hour 
and  begs  I  would  write  if  but  one  line  to  you.  I  am  ex- 
treemly  busy  getting  my  fences  and  things  ready  for  my 
garden,  and  the  variety  of  the  thousand  little  etiquets  that 
are  indiscribable  makes  me  like  a  hurrid  mortal,  and  yet, 
altho  I  have  written  you  a  very  long  circumstantial  letter 
after  we  left  you  to  which  I  have  not  received  a  line,  so 
direct  and  certain  opportunity  offers  that  I  can't  but 
write  a  few  lines  just  to  say  we  are  here  so  so,  pretty  well, 
yet  as  Shakespear  says  only  so  so.  For  the  Influenza  or 
some  other  frenzy  makes  some  derangement  from  being 
quite  as  we  wish;  yet  we  move  and  have  a  being  in  this 
strange  [torn]  and  endeavor  to  make  the  best  of  this  transi- 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        475 

tory  pilgrimage  [torn}  for  Life  passes  away,  and  what  we 
call  a  long  period  is  but  a  short  real  duration.  So  much 
by  way  of  begining,  and  by  way  of  apology. 

My  Mrs.  W[ebb]  in  this  hurry  has  gone  to  put  you  up  a 
few  garden  seeds;  but  she  tells  me  the  season  was  too  un 
favorable  last  year  to  gather  seeds  as  usual,  but  she  has 
some  which  she  will  put  up  with  pleasure.  As  for  family 
news  the  bearer,  Mr.  Bowles,  can  tell  you  that  Colo. 
Chester's  wife  has  lost  her  mother,  the  aged  and  worthy 
dear  woman,  Mrs.  Huntington,  who  she  buried  last  Satur 
day  week.  Colo.  Chester  and  she  went  down  in  their 
chaise  to  the  funeral  and  returned  but  last  Monday.  The 
old  lady  was  eighty  odd,  had  a  happy  exit.  Both  Colo. 
Chester  and  his  wife  often  ask  after  you,  and  most  ar 
dently  want  to  see  you.  Indeed  I  think  you  had  better 
take  yourself  and  daughter  in  a  chaise  and  visit  your  Weth- 
ersfield  friends  this  spring.  You  will  find  it's  nothing,  the 
roads  are  fine  to  what  they  used  to  be.  Mrs.  Barrell  and  her 
two  sons  are  yet  with  me.  Besides  this  Carles  and  Henry 
have  spent  three  weeks  here  since  I  was  at  your  house, 
as  I  wrote  you,  two  fine  young  fellows.  Since  my  writing 
about  them  their  goods  have  arrived  in  Boston,  and  they 
got  back  just  in  season  to  receive  and  open  them.  They 
wanted  much  to  visit  you,  but  the  season  would  not  permit. 
I  have  not  time  to  add  only  that  [all]  desire  their  best  love 
to  their  Uncle  and  his  dear  [wife],  and  that  I  wish  to  hear 
from  you  [when  opportunity  oifers],  and  that  I  am  most 
sincerely  yr.  afft  svt  and  Br., 

Jos.  WEBB. 

Say  Compliments  to  Mr.  Jo.  Thomas,  Uncle  H[oge- 
boom],  your  Father's  family,  etc.  Capt.  Wait  G  is  well 


476  FAMILY     LETTERS 

except  a  little  touch  of  the  rheumatism,  etc.  Doct.  Mose- 
ley  and  his  family  are  well.  I  mention  this  as  his  brother 
lives  in  your  vicinity.  Elias  Morgan's  three  children  are 
yet  with  me.  He's  at  St.  Croix.  Hays  at  Gadulepue, 
Antigua,  or  perhaps  by  this  time  arrived  at  St.  Croix  with 
Morgan,  and  they  may  be  here  the  beginning  of  next 
month.  Tho  I  expect  Hays,  I  hardly  expect  E.  M.  untill 
July.  Both  of  them  I  believe  are  doing  very  well;  but 
navigation  is  uncertain  business  unless  managed  with  the 
greatest  care,  but  if  rightly  conducted  rapid  fortunes  are 
made  by  it.  Witness  our  neighbor  Justus  Riley,  who 
doubtless  is  worth  two  hundred  thousand  dollars;  but  I 
need  not  single  him  out.  I  wish  often  as  possible  to  hear 
from  you  as  we  all  feel  so  anxious  for  you  and  your  dear 
children.  I  hope  the  good  Mrs.  Thomas  did  not  think 
hard  of  me  that  I  saw  so  little  of  her  while  at  Troy.  Colo. 
Qhester]  and  his  wife  do  much  urge  your  coming  here, 
and  say  they  now  really  hope  sometime  or  other  to  call 
on  you  in  their  way  to  Albany.  I  rather  think  Elizabeth 
will  be  married  about  the  first  of  June. 

Fryday  Morning,  April. 

Dear  Brother  I  wrote  the  above  last  evening,  supposing 
old  [Bowles]  was  going  off  then  in  about  15  minutes;  but 
by  the  chapter  of  accidents  aiding  and  assisting  the  Ches- 
ters,  &c.,  he  has  been  detained,  and  gives  me  a  little  oppor 
tunity  to  add.  Since  writing  the  above  I  have  seen  Lockd. 
Belden.  He  tells  me  he  has  received  a  most  friendly, 
polite  and  attentive  letter  from  you,  and  says  you  had  not 
then  received  my  Letter.  Soon  after  I  got  home  I  wrote 
you  a  letter  to  make  you  laugh  about  our  journey.  I  hope 
you  have  received  [it].  Tho  there  were  no  secrets  that  I 


SAMUEL  BLACHLEY  WEBB        477 

can  recollect,  yet  it  was  the  funny  jaunts 'we  had,  or  rather 
a  funny  description  which  I  thought  would  make  you  laugh 
heartily  at  us,  then  pity  and  scold  at  us  that  we  did  not 
stay.  But  Belden's  business  was  such  that  I  let  him  dictate 
about  staying  or  going;  but  if  you  have  not  received  my 
letter,  let  me  tell  you  we  got  to  Millers  very  well;  after 
that  no  snow;  we  went  two  miles  afoot  towards  Ancram  in 
company  with  a  clever  Dutchman  from  Claverack  that 
persuaded  us  to  turn  off  to  the  south  from  the  turnpike. 
This  was  when  we  turned  off  only  17  miles  from  Salisbury. 
We  twisted  and  twisted  about,  dodged  here  and  there,  and 
after  going  down  to  the  N.  East  on  the  oblong  plain  where 
Dibble  lives,  near  night  found  ourselves  on  another  turn 
pike  road,  and  that  night  only  got  to  Salisbury,  six  miles 
from  General  Webb.  Belden  and  I  walked  every  step  of 
the  last  twelve  miles.  While  at  Salisbury  that  night  it 
snowed,  so  that  next  day  we  got  only  to  Maj.  Webb's. 
The  next  night  instead  of  snow  or  freezing  I  got  rain,  and 
spent  another  day  with  Major  Webb.  The  next  hired, 
waggon  and  horses  and  got  home  in  one  day  from  the 
Major's;  but  [no]  more  of  this  as  Bowles  waits  for  my 
letter. 


FROM  DAVID  THOMAS. 

WASHINGTON,  November  2,  1807. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

I  hope  by  this  time  you  have  at  least  so  far  recovered 
your  health  as  to  enjoy  the  news  of  the  day.  But  we  have 
very  little  news  here  of  any  kind.  We  are  all  in  suspense 
as  to  the  event  of  the  pending  questions  between  this  nation 


478  FAMILY    LETTERS 

and  Great  Britain,  looking  with  anxiety  for  dispatches  from 
our  Ministers  at  London. 

Our  House  is  organized,  but  we  lay  now  on  our  oars, 
doing  very  little. 

Burr,  Blennerhasset,  &c.,  &c.,  have  passed  through  this 
place  in  company  with  Luther  Martin,  it  is  said  to  Balti 
more,  where  Martin  is  agoing  to  give  those  choice  spirits  a 
sumptious  entertainment.1 

Give  my  love  to  Polly  and  all  our  family,  and  with  my 
sincere  prayers  for  the  restoration  of  your  health  believe 
me,  my  dear  Brother  and  friend,  yours  etc.  affectionately, 

DAVID  THOMAS. 


1  See  Henry  Adams,  History  of  the  United  States,  III,  444. 


INDEX 


INDEX 


Abbeville,  Chevalier  d',  255. 

Accounts,  regimental,  155. 

Ackland,  James,  12. 

Adams,  John,  253^. 

Adgate,  Matthew,  424,  427. 

Adventurer,  191. 

Alexander,  James,  460. 

Alliance,  prize  money,  353. 

Allicock,  Joseph,  55,  56,  90. 

Allyn,  Timothy,  161,  168. 

Alsop,  Clarinda,  290. 

Alsop,  John,  282,  315,  318,  319,  376, 

379,  382,  387,  394,  396,  404,  409. 
Alsop,  Mary,  286. 
America,  150. 
Amiens,  treaty  of,  466. 

Ansters, ,  316. 

Anstruther,  John,  64. 
Apthorp,  Mrs.  G.,  116. 

Apthorpe, ,  no. 

Arms  on  furlough,  250. 
Arnold,  Benedict,  99. 

Ashman, ,  200,  204. 

Aspinwall,  Gilbert,  450. 
Aspinwall,  John,  450^. 
Assembly,  ticket  for,  283,  410. 
Atkinson,  John,  74,  271,  272. 
A  very,  Simeon,  196. 
Axtelle,  William,  78,  107. 

Backhouse,  William,  419. 

Bacon,  Richard,  150,    158,    241,    384, 

405- 

Bacon,  William,  294. 
Bagley,  David,  434. 
Bambridge,  Mrs.,  100. 
Bancker,  Abraham,  206,  243. 
Bancker,  Adrian,  Sin,  229-^. 
Bancker,  Christopher,  22972. 
Bancker,  Christopher,  (2nd)  188,  205, 

229,  244,  256. 


Bancker,  Elizabeth,  Sin,  103,  128,  144, 
162. 

Bancker,  Evert,  Sin,  187,  229^. 

Bancker,  Gerardus,  432. 

Bancker,  Richard,  Sin,  229^,  344,  364, 
401. 

Bancker,  Sarah,  Sin,  151,  247;  death, 
261,  264,  267;  letters,  194,  200,  203, 
205,  213,  216,  217,  223,  224,  225, 
228,  232,  237. 

Bancker,  William,  Sin,  22gn. 

Bank  of  United  States,  427. 

Barrell,  Joseph,  156,  168,  308,  310,  313, 
3i6,  333,  360,  423;  prisoners  taken 
by  privateer,  96;  prize,  166;  sym 
pathy  in  trouble,  376,  384,  407;  and 
Platt,  412;  Bentley's  visit,  428;  ad 
viser  to  John,  438;  to  build,  447; 
death,  472;  letters,  127,  146,  153, 
242,  264,  323,  340,  350. 

Barrell,  Nancy,  337,  341. 

Barrell,  Nathaniel,  387. 

Barrell,  Sarah,  118;  letters,  207,  267. 

Barrow, ,  366. 

Barton,  Joseph,  38. 

Bauman,  Sebastian,  354. 

Bay, ,  424,  434. 

Bayard,  James  Asheton,  461,  470. 

Bayard,  Samuel,  116. 

Baylor,  George,  88,  92. 

Beadle,  William,  124. 

Beatty,  John,  78,  92,  117,  126. 

Beaumont, ,  captain,  140. 

Beckwith,  Phinehas,  196. 

Bedlow,  captain,  119. 

Beebe,  Barzaleel,  51. 

Beekman,  Gerardus,  225,  227,  232,  332, 

379- 
Beekman,  Gerardus  G.,  Jr.,  238,  241, 

340. 
Beers,  Nathan,  129. 


482 


INDEX 


Beldcn,  Ezekiel  P.,  290,  308. 

Belden,  Lockwood,  476. 

Belclen,  Polly,  329. 

Belden,  Simon,  123. 

Belding,  Abraham,  167,  174,  233. 

Belding,  Richard,  246. 

Bend,  Grove,  101. 

Benson,  George,  265. 

Bentley,  William,  428^. 

Berry  and  Rogers,  95,  109,  in. 

Berton,  Peter,  i. 

Belts,  Hezekiah,  161. 

Betts,  Stephen,  16472,  182. 

Bigelow,  John,  123. 

Bigelow,  Jonathan,  260. 

Birdsall,  Benjamin,  42472. 

Birdsall,  Hannah,  236. 

Blachley,  Sarah,  41611. 

Elaine,  Ephraim,  215. 

Blinns, ,  188. 

Blodget,  Jube,  353. 

Blodget,  Nathan,  37. 

Blodget,  William,  103,  270. 

Boardman,  Elijah,  183. 

Boardman,  Seth,  435. 

Boerum,  Hendrick,  32. 

Bogert,  Tennis,  159,  386. 

Booth,  Walter,  173. 

Bounties,  211. 

Bowdoin,  James,  on  Temple's  losses, 
29. 

Bradish's  Tavern,  Cambridge,  i8». 

Bradley,  Daniel,  161. 

Brazier,  Mrs.,  112. 

Bronson,  Dr.,  227. 

Brooks,  John,  345. 

Broome,  John,  123. 

Brown,  Benjamin,  116. 

Brown,  Mountford,  75. 

Browne,  Samuel,  342. 

Buck,  Daniel,  123. 

Buck,  Josiah,  124. 

Buck,  Samuel,  317. 

Bulkley,  C.,  123. 

Bulkley,  Edward,  captured,  35;  sends 
money,  77;  returns  to  New  York, 
93;  desires  a  horse,  114,  142;  re 
leased,  147;  sympathy,  173;  com 
plaint,  280;  widow,  395;  letters,  117, 


124,  128,  142,  147, 148, 1 60,  167,  168, 

171,  173. 

Bulkley,  John,  Jr.,  123,  127*1. 
Bull,  Amos,  44,  263,  300,  310,  312,  341, 

407,  456. 

Bull,  Caleb,  Jr.,  123. 
Bull,  David,  295. 
Bull,  Epaphras,  149. 
Bull,  Frederick,  408. 
Bull,  James,  330. 
Bull,  Joseph,  123,  128,  333,  373,  377, 

387,  388,  398,  407. 
Bunce,  Jared,  174,  425. 
Burbank,  Ebenezer,  165. 

Burnham, ,  210,  262. 

Burr,  Aaron,  123,  258,  417,  473. 

Burr,  Jared,  332. 

Burrows,  John,  410. 

Burton,  William,  56. 

Butler,  Joseph,  124. 

Butler,  Zebulon,  237. 

Butler, ,  329. 

Bygrave,  William,  87. 
Byles,  Lambert,  78. 

Cadet,  362. 

Caines,  Jonathan,  358. 

Camfield,  Samuel,  46,  47,  55,  58,  64, 

65,  79- 

Camp,  Connecticut  Line,  212. 
Campbell,  Archibald,  37,  85. 
Campbell,  Donald,  159. 
Carrey,  Frances,  235. 
Carrows,  Mrs.,  88. 
Carson,  Joseph,  355. 
Carter,  John,  135. 
Carter,  Reuben,  246. 
Carver,  J.,  473. 
Gary,  Richard,  27. 
Gary,  Richard,  Jr.,  273. 
Chadwick,  James,  i6in,  167. 
Chadwick,  William,  i6in. 
Chapel,  Gay,  141. 
Chapin,  Phineas,  465. 
Chapman,  Thomas,  67;  books,  79. 
Chester,  John,  94,  123,  373,  385,  439. 
Chester,  Mrs.  John,  72. 
Chester,  Leonard,  123. 
Chester,  Sarah,  230. 


INDEX 


483 


Chester,  Stephen,  156, 249, 271,369,372. 

Chester,  Thomas,  378,  381. 

Chevenard,  John,  123,  i66n,  178. 

Chew,  Joseph,  67,  77. 

Church,  James,  123. 

Cincinnati,  meeting  of,  365. 

Clark,  Thomas,  63. 

Clarke,  John,  368. 

Clarkson,  Levinus,  64,   102,   104,   117, 

190. 

Clarkson,  Matthew,  92. 
Claverack,  N.  Y.,  church,  464. 
Clements,  James,  473. 
Cleveland,  Samuel,  70. 
Clinton,  George,  44 $n. 
Clinton,  Sir  Henry,  106,  no,  145. 
Clothing  for  regiment,   27,   130,   171, 

182,  242. 

Cobb,  Hannah,  257. 
Cochran,  John,  151. 
Coeyman,  Andrew,  137/2. 
Coeyman,  Gertrude,  13 *jn. 
Coeyman,  Samuel,  177. 
Coffin,  Jared,  424/2. 
Cogswell,  Thomas,  218. 
Golden,  Cadwallader,  362/2. 

Colfax, ,  200. 

Collier,  Thomas,  389. 

Collins,  John,  56. 

Colt,  Peter,  124. 

Columbia,  County,  N.  Y.,  456. 

Comstock,  Samuel,  164/2. 

Congress,  Continental,  10. 

Connell,  L.,  53. 

Constable,  William,  100,  170,  469. 

Cooke,  William,  77. 

Cooper,  William,  10. 

Corporals,  Memorial  of,  245. 

Court  Martial,  161,  163. 

Cowley,  Hannah,  437. 

Cozine,  John,  364. 

Crane,  John,  250. 

Croofoot,  Benjamin,  365. 

Crooke,  Charles,  344. 

Crown  Point,  lands  near,  269. 

Curten,  John,  269. 

Curtiss,  Samuel,  260,  374. 

Cutting,  John  Brown,  194,  204,  214, 

304- 


Cuyler,  C.,  301. 
Cuyler,  Henry,  30172. 

Dandy,  190/2. 

Daubeny,  Mrs.,  46. 

Davis,  Boardman,  294. 

Davis, ,  i. 

Dawes,  Thomas,  345. 

Dayton,  Elias,  2iin. 

Deane,  Barnabas,  123,  12773,  140,  169, 
195,  215,  452;  unsuccessful  priva 
teer,  25. 

Deane,  Jesse,  8,  253,  309. 

Deane,  Mehitabel,  7. 

Deane,  Mehitabel  (Hetty),  8. 

Deane,  Silas,  authorized  to  sell  prop 
erty,  7;  to  Boston  committee,  10; 
Simpson  on,  13,  16;  death  of  wife, 
32;  message  to,  72;  letter,  125; 
bill  returned,  251;  conduct  at 
tacked,  259;  business  neglect,  262; 
estate,  291,  307;  return  expected, 
408;  matter  ended,  411;  accounts, 
417. 

Deane,  Simeon,  25,  254. 

Dearborn,  Henry,  469. 

Debartzchy,  Dominique,  274. 

Delabigarre,  L.,  459. 

Delancey,  Alice,  362/2. 

Delancey,  Elizabeth,  362/2. 

Delancey,  James,  proposed  exchange, 

35,  37,  39,  S3- 
Delancey,  Mrs.,  102. 
Delancey,  Oliver,  41. 
Delancey,  Peter,  362/2. 
Deming,  Henry,  263,  325. 
Deming,  Josiah,  124. 
Deming,  Mrs.,  52. 
Deming,  William,  124,  404,  408. 
Denning,  William,  258/2.  300,  305,  332. 
Dering,  Sylvester,  50. 
Deserters,  order  on,  150. 
Devereux,  James,  344. 
Discharge,  certificates  of,  213. 
Dix,  Benjamin,  223,  224. 
Dodge,  Seth,  196. 
Dorsius,  John,  190/2. 
Downs,  James,  246. 
Draper,  George,  121. 


484 


INDEX 


Drawbacks,  changes  in,  i. 

DuCass, ,  124. 

Duer,  William,  445. 
Dumont,  Peter,  460. 
Dunham,  Azarck,  223. 
Dunscomb,  Daniel,  258;?. 

Dunscombe, ,  Mrs.,  146,  249. 

Durkee,  John,  160. 
Duyckinck,  Evert,  279. 
Duyckinck,  James,  401. 
Duyckinck,  John,  on  death  of  Mrs. 

Webb,  175,  176;  on  mills,  188,  199, 

206,  222,  277. 
Duyckinck,  Mary  (Aunt  Polly),  Sin, 

89. 

Eagle  Packet,  112. 
Edwards,  E.  V.,  62. 
Edwards,  Pierpont,  332,  411. 

Ellis, ,  209. 

Ellison,  William,  364. 
Ellsworth,  Oliver,  372. 
Ely,  John,  on  capture,  34;  proposed 
exchange,  39;  returns  to  New  York, 

93- 

Emmet,  Thomas  Addis,  456. 
England,  Richard,  88. 
Ensigns,  appointments  of,  210. 

Erving, ,  343. 

Eules, ,  79. 

Evans,  Abiathar,  160. 
Experiment,  127,  140. 

Fairlie,  James,  442. 
Falcon,  35. 

Fanning,  David,  15272. 
Fanning,  Elisha,  15271. 
Fanning,  Thomas,  50. 
Farteshew,  Ann,  12. 
Fenwick,  Robert,  18. 
Ferris,  Jedidiah,  270. 
Fish,  Nicholas,  274. 

Fitzhugh, ,87. 

Fleury,  Francois  Louis  de,  359. 
Flint,  Eliakim,  430. 
Flint,  Eliphalet,  435. 
Flint,  Royal,  97. 
Ford,  Jacob,  424^,  446. 
Fortune,  James,  463. 


Fortune,  Luke,  52,  124. 

Fox,  2$n. 

Franklin,  Samuel,  101. 

Franklin,  Walter,  101. 

Franklin,  William,  86,  91. 

Franks,  David,  427. 

Freeman,  Jonathan,  Jr.,  274,  327,  348, 

349,  358,  359,  361,  362. 
French  leave  Hartford,  231. 
Frink,  Nathan,  51,  59,  60,  121;  letters, 

53,  54,  61,  68,  87,  96. 
Fullerton,  Nathaniel,  435,  437. 
Furloughs,  1 80. 

Gage,  Thomas,  to  attend  the  Con 
gress,  ii. 

Galpen,  Daniel,  294. 

Gardoqui,  Diego  de,  374. 

Gassharel,  Haring,  318. 

Gates,  127. 

Gault,  Robert,  101. 

Gautier, ,  148. 

Gibraltar,  3. 

Giles,  Aquila,  in,  146. 

Gillet,  Jacob,  164. 

Goes,  Dirck,  441. 

Goff,  Gideon,  246. 

Goodale,  Nathan,  114. 

Goodrich,  Elihu  Chauncey,  390,  421, 
428. 

Goodrich,  Elizur,  123. 

Goodrich,  \Vait,  124,  272,  297. 

Graham,  Catharine  Macauley,  268. 

Grant,  Ann,  letters,  45. 

Gray,  James,  196. 

Greaton,  John,  153,  211. 

Green,  J.,  ensign,  59,  61;  letter,  64. 

Green,  captain,  340. 

Greene,    Catherine    (Littlefield),    137, 

139,  372- 

Greene,  Nathanael,  91. 
Grenell,  Amasa,  246. 
Greyhound,  122. 

Gridley, ,  441. 

Griswold,  William,  124,  12711. 
Grosvenor,  Thomas,  211. 

Hackley,  Azunah,  148,  197. 
Hall,  Elihu,  89. 


INDEX 


485 


Hall,  Fitch,  325. 

Hall,  Giles,  Jr.,  127^. 

Hallet,  Joseph,  101,  249. 

Hallet,  Thomas,  152,  166. 

Hamilton,  Archibald,  25. 

Hamlin,  Richard,  6. 

Hammond,  Samuel,  432. 

Hamtranck,  John  Francis,  274. 

Hancock,  122. 

Hand,  Edward,  182,  219. 

Hanmer,  John,  124. 

Harm  wood,  captain,  35. 

Harnage,  Henry,  133. 

Hart,  John,  38,  145,  155. 

Haskell,  Elnathan,  321,  325,  327,  333, 

334,  338,  343,  346. 
Hastings,  Jonathan,  Jr.,  33. 
Havanna,  the,  170,  190,  307. 
Hay,  Udney,  119,  141,  227. 
Hayes,  Mrs.,  60,  65. 
Hazard,  Ebenezer,  288,  331. 
Hazard,  Thomas,  330. 

Hazard, ,  174,  186. 

Hazen,  Moses,  151. 

Heath,  William,  advice,  141;  message, 

202;   certificates  of  discharge,  213. 
Henley,  David,  60,  209. 
Hepburn,  Stacy,  251. 
Heron,  James,  88,  99. 
Hessian,  as  servant,  248. 
Hibernia,  12311. 
Hickox,  Asher,  246. 
Hill,  captaui,  7. 
Hillegas,  Michael,  299. 
Hillman,  Joseph,  1 24. 
Hindman,  William,  283. 
Hinsdale,  D.,  286. 
Hitchcock,  Abel,  246. 
Hodgson,  Samuel,  342,  360. 
Hoffman,  Heman,  440. 
Hoffman,  Nicholas,  312. 
Hogeboom,  Killian,  464. 
Hogeboom,  Lawrence,  42472. 
Hogeboom,    Stephen,   421,    424,   426, 

428,  432,  441. 

Holdridge, ,  421. 

Holmes,  Silas,  253. 
Holton,  Samuel,  292. 
Hood,  James,  190;?. 


Hooker,  James,  246. 

Hop,  invitations  to,  103. 

Hopkins,  Charles,  407. 

Hopkins,  Elisha,  86,  164,  165;  as  to 
joining  regiment,  149;  released,  147; 
letters,  44,  134,  147,  149,  182. 

Horses,  sales  of,  22,  32,  87;  order  on, 
174. 

Horsmanden,  Daniel,  47. 

Hosmer,  Hezekiah  L.,  425,  454. 

Hosmer,  Prosper,  184. 

Hosmer,  Titus,  5,  8,  Sin;  letter,  140. 

Howard,  Miss,  43,  57,  65. 

Howdings, ,  43. 

Howe,  Sir  William,  leaves  Boston,  23 ; 
cartel,  60. 

Howel,  Nicholas,  246. 

Howell,  John,  460. 

Howell,  Richard,  460. 

Hubbard,  George,  246. 

Hubbard,  Nehemiah,  123,  130,  235. 

Hude,  Polly,  177. 

Hughes,  Hugh,  159,  395. 

Hughes,  William,  164. 

Hull,  William,  184. 

Humphreys,  David,  371,  395,  409,  416. 

Hunt,  Alexander,  123. 

Huntington,  Andrew,  30. 

Huntington,  Ebenezer,  escapes  cap 
ture,  36;  absence,  177;  letters,  137, 
1 80,  184,  185,  205. 

Huntington,  Jabez,  35,  36,  195,  201. 

Huntington,  Jedidiah,  34,  230,  253. 

Huntington,  Joshua,  36,  124. 

Huntington,  Samuel,  69. 

Imlay,  William,  123. 

Ingraham, ,  305. 

Inoculation,  184. 
Irvine,  William,  84. 
Ivers,  Thomas,  329. 
Izard,  Henry,  361,  410. 
Izard,  Ralph,  36 2n. 

Jackson,  Henry,  198,  250. 
Jackson,  James,  407. 
Jackson,  Samuel,  246. 
Jackson,  Thomas  Frederick,  212. 
Jarvis,  Samuel,  249. 


486 


INDEX 


Jason,  136. 
Jauncey,  James,  24. 
Jay,  Frederick,  122. 
Jay,  John,  363,  445- 
Jay,  Mrs.  John,  298. 

Jefferson, ,412. 

Jepson,  William,  169. 

Jersey,  100,  191. 

"Johnny  Crook,"  104. 

Johnson,  Horace,  298,  313,  317. 

Johnson,  Jonathan,  211,  322. 

Johnson,  Nancy,  58,  65,  72. 

Johnson,  T.,  237. 

Johnson,  William  Samuel,  14,  68,  71, 

262. 

Johnstone,  Cornelia,  1887*. 
Jones,  John,  81. 
Jones,  P.,  266. 
Joseph,  309,  312. 

Kayaderossares,  2. 

Kean,  John,  283. 

Keeler,  Isaac,  162,  164. 

Keens,  James,  88,  in,  112. 

Keese,  John,  158. 

Kellogg,  Stephen,  167. 

King,  John,  472. 

King,  Mary  (Alsop),  286. 

King,  Rufus,  286,  289,  326. 

Knox,  Henry,  236,  240,  260,  263,  266. 

Knox,  Lucy,  60,  282. 

Laight,  William,  419. 
Lathrop,  Thomas,  180. 
Lawrence,  Efnngham,  309,  342,  397. 
Lawrence,  Thomas,  363. 

Lawrence, ,  captain,  7. 

Leake,  Ann,  224. 
Leake,  John  G.,  22472. 
Leake,  Robert,  22472,  229/2. 
Leake,  Robert  William,  224/2. 
Leave  of  absence,  orders,  180. 
Lebanon  Pool,  337,  346. 
Lee,  Arthur,  299. 
Lee,  Charles,  47,  53. 
Lee,  Colonel,  313. 

Lefferts, ,  2. 

Lefferts,  Leffert,  78. 
Leidle,  George,  197. 


Le  Roy,  Catharine,  307*2. 

Le  Roy,  Jacob,  307,  419. 

Leverett,  Thomas,  271,  329. 

Lewis,  Edward,  198. 

Lewis,  Morgan,  92. 

Lillie,  John,  60. 

Limboshire,  134. 

Lispenard,  Amelia,  351. 

Litchfield,  Conn.,  inoculation  hospital, 

75- 

Livingston,  Catherine  \V.,  103. 
Livingston,  Henry,  265,  273,  275,  365, 

392,  424,  426,  436,  445,  462,  473. 
Livingston,  Henry  Brockholst,  298. 
Livingston,  Henry  W.,  330. 
Livingston,  John,  106,  279,  446. 
Livingston,  Peter  V.  B.,  25872. 
Livingston,  Philip,  417. 
Livingston,  Robert  R.,  345. 
Livingston,  Sarah  Van  Brugh,  298/2. 
Livingston,  Walter,  336,  424,  427. 
Livingston,  William,  98,  10472. 
Livingston,  William,  13772. 
Livingston,  William,  Jr.,  311,  313,  315, 

318. 

Livingston,  William  S.,  32,  97,  440. 
Lloyd,  Abby,  249. 
Lockwood,  James,  124,  149,  216. 
Lockwood,  John,  311. 
Lockwood,  Samuel,  429. 
Lockwood,  William,  429. 
Loring,  Joshua,  47,  86,  88,  in,  115, 

120. 

Lothrop,  John,  425. 
Lothrop,  John  W.,  432. 
Lott,  Abraham,  137/2,  138,  410. 
Lott,  Andrew^  137/2. 
Lott,  Catherine,  13 772. 
Lott,  Cornelia,  137/2. 
Lottery,  2, 56, 66,  74,  342,  418,  423,  428. 
Loudon,  Samuel,  120,  158. 
Lounsbury,  David,  246. 
Lowther,  William,  101. 
Ludlow,  Gary,  344. 
Ludlow,  James,  468. 
Ludlow,  William  Henry,  444. 

Ludlow, ,  81. 

Lyman, ,  79. 

Lyon,  Joseph,  434. 


INDEX 


487 


McConnell,  Matthew,  414,  419. 
McCormick,  Daniel,  101. 
McDermott,  Terence,  40. 
McDonald,  James,  22. 
Macdougall,  Alexander,  76,  433. 
McEvers,  Charles,  29172,  307,  331,  369. 
McEvers,  James,  272,  280,  281,  291^, 

306,  328,  331,  369,  372,  390,  405. 

McEwen, ,  255. 

McFarran,  Thomas,  101. 

McKenzie,  B.,  105. 

McKenzie,  Colin,  51. 

McKinstry,  John,  433. 

McQueen,  John,  432. 

Magaw,  Robert,  88,  115;  marriage  of, 

in;  letter,  215. 
Malcom,  Dr.,  466,  471. 

Mandeville, ,  212. 

Mann,  Thomas  M.,  471. 
Mansfield,  John,  221. 
Mardant's  drops,  333. 
Marston,  Thomas,  351. 

Mathews, ,  146. 

Matthews,  George,  406. 

Matthews,  Jesse,  164. 

Mauregnault,  de,  &  Cusson,  6,  9. 

Maxwell,  William,  101. 

May,  Samuel,  372. 

May,  William,  5,  123. 

Mayflower,  19072. 

Medals,  Columbia,  350,  353. 

Meigs,  John,  161,  167,  341. 

Meigs,  Return  Jonathan,  $n. 

Melville,  Mrs.,  79. 

Mercer,  Robert,  101. 

Merrill,  Manning,  154,  156. 

Mifflin,  Thomas,  27. 

Miller,  Ashur,  305,  3 1 5. 

Miller,  Christopher,  47. 

Miller,  Eleazer,  305,  319. 

Miller,  John,  249. 

Mills  on  the  Rariton,  188,  199,  200, 

206,    222,    277,    348. 

Miner,  Robert,  101. 
Minerva,  7,  166. 
Mint,  United  States,  427. 
Minthorn,  Michael,  163. 
Mitchell,  James,  25^,  425. 
Mitchell,  Stephen,  124. 


Mix,  Anne,  8. 

Mix,  Ebenzer,  8. 

Mix,  Elisha,  8. 

Mix,  John,  8. 

Mobson,  Miss,  43. 

Moncrieffe,  Thomas,  146. 

Monson,  John,  362. 

Moore,  Benjamin,  453. 

Moore,  Daniel,  48. 

Moore,  Edward,  437. 

Moore,  Sir  Henry,  269. 

Moore,  John,  254. 

Morgan,  John,  463. 

Morris,  James,  75. 

Morris,  Lewis,  143. 

Morris,  Lewis  R.,  326. 

Morris,  Richard,  28 2n. 

Morris,  Robert,  Jr.,  301. 

Morris,  Robert  Hunter,  28 in. 

Moss,  Reuben,  246. 

Moylan,  Stephen,  409,  416,  435. 

Mulherins,  Richard,  433. 

Mumford,  Giles,  service  of,  28;  ex 
changed,  94. 

Mumford,  Thomas,  31,  44,  i66n;  on 
appointment  for  son,  28;  on  ex 
change  of  prisoners,  39;  hope  of 
exchange  for  a  foreign  capture,  93; 
loss  of  wife,  94;  refitting  Hancock, 
121;  declines  phaeton,  132. 

Musters,  defects  in,  205,  209. 

Myer,  John  R.,  352. 

Neave,    Richard,    sends    invoice,    i; 

sends   deeds,    7;    trusted  Bancker, 

268;  letters,  i,  7. 
Neave,  Richard,  Jr.,  355. 
Neilson,  William,  8gn. 
Nelson,  John,  188,  190,  191. 
Nevins,  David,  180. 
Newson,  John,  425. 
Newton,  Thomas,  123. 
New  York,   operations  against,    145; 

condition   of   enemy,    221;    British 

leaving,   223;    Mrs.  Bancker  to  go 

to,  247;  politics,  424,  426. 
Nichols,  Charles,  55. 
Nicoll,  S.,  92. 
Nicols,  Daniel,  465. 


488 


INDEX 


North,  William,  197,  247. 
Northrup,  Isaac,  246. 
Notes,  soldiers',  153. 

Noyes, ,  368. 

Nutter,  John,  22. 

Oberle, ,  279,  300. 

Ogden,  Abraham,  198,  206,  311. 

Ogden,  David  A.,  459. 

Ogden,  David  B.,  459. 

Olcott,    George,   surgical   instruments 

wanted,  135. 
Oliver  Cromwell,  37. 
Olney,  George,  139. 
Osborn,  David,  369. 
Otis,  Samuel  Alleyne,  129. 
Otsego  county,  N.  Y.,  election  in,  449. 

Page,  William,  77. 

Palmer,  Thomas,  survey  of  patent,  2. 

Parker,  Abraham,  246. 

Parker,  Daniel,  216. 

Parliament,  legislates  on  American 
duties,  i. 

Parsons,  David,  160,  165,  171^. 

Parsons,  Jabez,  165. 

Parsons,  James,  101. 

Parsons,  Samuel  Holden,  87,  151,  161, 
249,  291;  dangerous  situation,  35; 
political  comments,  64;  exchanges, 
70;  aid  asked,  76;  order  on  de 
serters,  150. 

Parsons,  Theophilus,  343. 

Pasley,  Barry  &  Little,  423. 

Pass,  military,  98,  100,  135,  146. 

Paterson,  William,  357,  367. 

Pay  table,  committee  of,  133. 

Pearsall,  Thomas,  101. 

Pendleton, ,  431. 

Perry,  Hayes  &  Sherbrooke,  56,  332. 

Peyster,  A.  M.  de,  257. 

Phaeton,  offer  of,  131. 

Phenix,  Daniel,  305,  306,  332. 

Pickering,  Timothy,  342. 

Piety  Parlor,  Flatbush,  100. 

Pintard,  John,  93. 

Pintard,  Lewis,  78,  84,  92. 

Platt,  Ebenezer,  123. 

Platt,  Jeremiah,  123. 


Platt,  Richard,  239,  285,  289,  295, 
299,  412,  422,  451,  458. 

Pointer,  wanted,  276,  298,  411,  459. 

Poling,  Joseph,  141. 

Pollock  &  Urquhart,  255. 

Polly,  423- 

Pomeroy,  Ralph,  157,  291. 

Pompey,  451. 

Popham,  William,  420. 

Porter,  Daniel,  246. 

Porter,  Moses,  246. 

Posts,  continental,  15?*,  24. 

Prisoners,  money  for,  84;  list  of,  on 
parole,  107;  at  Boston,  no;  neg 
lected,  142. 

Privateers,  127,  136. 

Pulford,  Elisha,  196. 

Putnam,  Israel,  horse  for,  22. 

Putnam,  Rufus,  2im,  258^. 

Radcliff,  Jacob,  445. 

Ramage,  Smith,  101. 

Ramsay,  Nathaniel,  90,  106. 

Ramsey,  John,  101. 

Randolph,  Robert,  87. 

Rankin,  Robert,  117. 

Ransom,  Elijah,  196. 

Read,  Jacob,  292. 

Recovery,  123. 

Recruits,  character  of,  209. 

Remsen,  Henry,  89,  258. 

Renfield,  Dr.,  227. 

Rice,  John,  133. 

Rice,  Nehemiah,  164^,  165^. 

Richardson,  John,  70. 

Riley,  Ashbel,  123,  150. 

Riley,    John,,  on    Long    Island,    44; 

money  for,  77. 
Riley,  Justus,  123,  330,  476. 
Rings,  mourning,  252. 
Robbins,  A.,  123. 
Roberts,  D.,  21. 
Roberts,  John,  164. 
Roberts,  Stephen,  246. 
Robertson,  Alexander,  101,  414. 
Robertson,  Peter,  152. 
Rogers,   Zabdiel,    sends   merchandise, 

3°- 
Rogers,  captain,  109. 


INDEX 


489 


Rogers,  Berry  and,  95. 
Rose,  John,  186. 
Rowe,  Nicholas,  597^. 
Russell,  Ashur,  18372. 
Russell,  John,  13. 
Rynean, ,  358. 

Sage,  Nathan,  124,  12772. 

St.  John,  Aaron,  164. 

St.  John  de  Crevecceur,  Hector,  254, 

375- 

St.  John,  Jesse,  246. 
Salmon,  336,  339,  415,  426. 
Saltonstall,  Dudley,  2872,  166. 
Sands,  Comfort,  13772,  25872. 
Sargent,  Winthrop,  258,  269,  354,  356. 
Savage,  James,  424. 
Scammell,  Alexander,  148,  160. 
Schemerhorn,  Peter,  432. 
Schenck  and  VanBuren,  348,  357,  367. 
Schuyler,  Philip,  237*,  135. 
Schuyler,  34. 
Scott,  Ezekiel,  296. 

Scovel, ,437. 

Seagrove,  James,  48,  92,  101,  170,  191, 

251,   286,  310,  316,  319,  320,  322 

344,  361,  39°,  472. 
Seaman,  Edmund,  101. 
Sebor,  Jacob,  68,  76,  89,  91. 
Sebor,  James,  317. 
Seeds  and  roots,  captured,  1 54. 
Selby,  Thomson  and,  101. 
Servants,  unruly,  244. 
Sewall,  Henry,  203. 
Seymour,  George,  304. 
Seymour,  Thomas,  305,  369,  373,  383. 
Shad,  363. 
Shaler,  Nathaniel,  67,  264,  277,  284, 

291,  304,  313. 
Sharp,  Richard,  93. 
Shaw,  John,  276,  298. 
Sheldon,  Simeon,  16572. 
Sherbrooke,  Eliza,  4872. 
Sherbrooke,  Miles,  4872,   72,  85,   272, 

280;  plea  for  release,  24;  family  and 

Webb,  41,  43. 
Sherman,  Isaac,  164,  174. 
Shrub,  1 60. 
Sill,  Richard,  430. 


Simcoe,  John  Graves,  120. 

Simpson,  John,  loyalist,  on  Deane,  13, 
16;  sale  of  goods,  14,  15,  17,  271; 
urged  to  leave  Boston,  18;  question 
of  removing,  19;  wants  fresh  pro 
vision,  21 ;  letters,  13,  15,  18,  21. 

Simpson,  Jonathan,  271,  372,  373, 
392,  393,  397,  398,  399,  402,  425. 

Simpson,  Sarah  (Webb),  18;  letters, 
41,  49,  57,  60,  65,  72.  See  Barrell. 

Skeels,  William,  218. 

Slaves,  trade  in,  438. 

Smedley, ,  123. 

Smith,  Belinda,  195,  201,  371,  372,  384. 

Smith,  Charity,  317. 

Smith,  Daniel,  290,  296,  300. 

Smith,  David,  221,  231,  236. 

Smith,  George,  435. 

Smith,  John,  62,  69,  217,  245;?. 

Smith,  Mrs.  John  (Margaret),  49,  217, 
24572. 

Smith,  Justus  B.,  245. 

Smith,  Mary,  256. 

Smith,  Oliver,  79. 

Smith,  Richard,  248. 

Smith,  Robert,  414. 

Smith,  Thomas,  256,  352. 

Smith,  William,  256. 

Smith,  William  Stephens,  245/2,  251. 

Soldiers'  notes  in  payments,  215. 

Speculation  in  securities,  284,  287,  289, 
295,  422. 

Spencer,  Ambrose,  453. 

Spencer,  Thomas,  165. 

Sperry,  Army,  246. 

Spyers,  Miss,  7. 

Stables,  Maria  Henrietta,  7,  268,  355. 

Stanley, ,  tailor,  6,  24. 

Stanly,  George,  123. 

Stanly,  Thomas,  245. 

Starr,  George,  124. 

Steuben,  Baron,  197,  200,  202,  247,  312. 

Stewart,  James  and  Alexander,  101, 
420. 

Stewart,  Walter,  139,  186. 

Stewart,  Wat,  describes  Gibraltar,  2. 

Stillman,  Allyn,  124. 

Stillman,  Joseph,  372. 

Stirling,  Lord,  116,  212. 


490 


INDEX 


Stocking,  Z.,  10. 
Stoddard,  Frederick,  246. 
Stone,  Thomas,  164. 
Storer,  Ebenezer,  218. 
Stores,  Prentice,  30. 
Stringer,  Samuel,  23. 
Strong,  Israel,  157,  160,  185. 
Stuart,  James,  449,  450,  467. 
Surinam,  bills  on,  140,  438. 
Sutfin,  Peter,  460. 
Sutherland,  Abbot,  no. 
Suydam,  John,  358. 
Swan,  John,  99,  108. 
Swan  wick,  Richard,  113. 
Swift,  Heman,  211,  230. 

Tallmadge,  Benjamin,  77,  227. 

Tanner,  Thomas,  114. 

Tavern,  Peter  Lenox,  113. 

Taylor,  Moses,  124. 

Taylor,  Timothy,  168. 

Temple,  Sir  John,  118;    losses  of,  29, 

144. 

Tenbroeck,  John,  460. 
Ternant,  Jean  Baptiste,  186. 
Thomas,  David,  456,  466,  469,  473. 
Thomas,  John,  246. 
Thompson,  Samuel,  150. 
Thompson,  William,  88,  108,  115. 
Thomson  and  Selby,  101. 
Thrasher,  Asahel,  435. 
Totten,  Robert,  101. 
Towles,  Oliver,  134. 
Tracy,  Elisha,  i8jn. 
Troop,  Robert,  92,  297. 
Trumbull,  John,  51,  411,  418. 
Trumbull,  Jonathan,  157. 
Tryon,  Moses,  136,  463. 
Tryon,  William,  78. 
Tudor,  Elihu,  57,  71. 
Turner,  George,  381. 
Turner,  Philip,  187. 
Twelve's  Letter,  108. 
Tyler,  Royall,  343,  347- 

Uniform,  decision  on,  237. 

Van  Brunt,  Rutgers,  215. 

Van  Buren,  Abraham,  348,  357,  367. 


Van  Cortlandt,  Augustus,  351. 

Vanderbilt, ,  117. 

Van  Dyck,  Henry,  80,  82,  87. 

Van  Horne,  Ann,  54,  59,  62,  66,  68,  81. 

Van  Horne,  Augustus,  332,  340. 

Van  Horne,  David,  54^,  68. 

Van  Nest,  Abraham,  279. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Jacob  R.,  390,  465. 

Van  Rensselaer,  John  Jacob,  456. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Killian  K.,  393. 

Vans,  William,  Jr.,  358,  361,  362. 

Van  Schaick,  Peter,  441. 

Van  Zandt,  Catharine,  103. 

Van  Zandt,  Jacobus,  98. 

Verplanck,  Gulian,  187,  221,  224,  367. 

Violang, ,  124. 

Wadsworth,  D.,  285. 

Wadsworth,  Jeremiah,  at  Mole  St. 
Nicholas,  9;  loses  a  horse,  26;  on 
waste  of  army  stores,  26;  on  letters, 
33;  order  for  articles,  102;  pass 
to  New  York,  162;  has  money, 
226;  recommends  Webb  for  War 
Office,  260;  attentive,  262;  debt, 
281;  honoring  drafts,  295;  under 
suspicion,  304;  to  be  sounded,  415; 
letters,  97,  125,  128,  141,  162,  263, 
266,  372,  373,  418. 

WTadsworth,  Manning,  425. 

Waldo, ,  187. 

Walker,  Joseph,  163. 

Wallace,  Alexander,  24. 

Wallace,  Hill,  S8n. 

Wallace,  Hugh,  24^. 

Wallace,  John,  S8n. 

Walling,  Joseph,  198,  225. 

WTalton,  William,  102. 

Ward,  Daniel,  186. 

Warner,  Robert,  211. 

Washington,  George,  24,  100,  135, 
325^;  cartel,  60;  general  orders, 
180;  boots,  234;  sturgeon  for,  241; 
inauguration  as  President,  374;  at 
Hartford,  408. 

Washington,  127. 

WTatson,  James,  123,  132,  224,  226, 
467,  468. 

Watson,  John,  270. 


INDEX 


491 


Watson,  Josiah,  255. 

Watts,  R.,  311. 

Webb,  Abigail,  8,  72,  370. 

Webb,  Harriet,  192. 

Webb,  John,  8,  73,  156,  216;  changed, 
49;  debt  to  Mumford,  131,  132; 
sympathy  for  loss  of  wife,  172;  to 
visit  Quebec,  271;  speculation,  284- 
320;  to  Georgia,  326,  328,  332,  336, 
354;  temper,  337;  letters,  see  con 
tents. 

Webb,  Joseph  (grandfather),  416,  430. 

Webb,  Joseph,  7,  1 23 ;  release  of  vessel, 
ijn;  successful  voyage,  25;  recom 
mends  Fortune,  52;  privateer  cap 
ture,  140;  seizure  of  vessel,  217,  220; 
on  Silas  Deane,  259;  letters,  see 
contents. 

Webb,  Mary  N.,  457. 

Webb,  Mehitabel,  42,  153. 

Webb,  Samuel  Blachley,  8;  order  for 
clothing,  27;  captured,  34,  35; 
plans  exchange,  36;  parole,  63; 
released  on  parole,  gin;  a  com 
mercial  venture,  100;  released  on 
parole,  115;  phaeton,  131;  battal 
ion,  140;  goes  to  Connecticut,  168; 
death  of  wife,  172;  on  uniform,  237; 
on  use  of  boat,  240;  service,  257; 
secretaryship  at  war,  260;  for  west 
ern  territory,  291,  292;  duel,  313; 
urged  to  go  west,  354;  toasts,  413; 
letters,  32,  71,  106,  131,  252,  334, 

374,  444- 
Webb,    Sarah,    8.     See   Simpson   and 

Barrell. 

Webster,  Ashbel,  435. 
Wemple.     See  Wimple. 
West,  Jeremiah,  186. 
Wethersfield,  schools  at,  391. 
W'heeler,  Benjamin,  246. 
White,  Anthony  Walton,  62. 
White,  Joel,  22. 
White,  Jonathan  W.,  210. 


Whiting,  Charles,  service,  4^;  letter,  4. 
Whiting,  Nathan  Haynes,  196. 
Wickham,  George  D.,  314. 
Wickham,  Sarah,  282,  423. 
Wickham,   William,    282^,    283,    302, 

318. 

Wilcox,  Giles,  246. 
Wiley,  John,  106. 
Willement,  William,  368. 
Williams,  Ezekiel,  256. 
Williams,  Moses,  124. 
Williams,  Otho  Holland,  47,  104,  107, 

161,  2iin. 
Williams,  Samuel  William,  163. 

Willing, ,  113. 

Wimple,  Walter  Vrooman,  23,  390. 
Wine,  420,  423. 
Winslow,  John,  41,  83. 
Winthrop,  Benjamin,  53^. 
Winthrop,  Robert,  5372. 
Winthrop,  Thomas  Lindall,  144. 
Winthrop,  William,  310. 
Wisner,  Henry,  318. 
Witherspoon,  John,  119. 
Wolcott,  Erastus;  196. 
Woodhouse,  Lemuel,  435. 

Wooster, ,  216. 

Wright,  Ebenezer,  124. 

Wright,  Elijah,  123. 

Wright,  John,  123,  249,  286. 

Wright,  Joseph  A.,  231,  237. 

Wright,  Thomas,  435. 

Wyllys,  Chester,  124. 

Wyllys,  Hezekiah,  123. 

Wyllys,    John    Palsgrave,    148,    212; 

service  of,  31;  letters,  177,  203. 

X.  Y.  Z.  letters,  454^. 

Yates,  Robert,  445,  456. 

Yorick,  358,  362. 

York,  i,  12. 

Youngs,  Isaac  or  Israel,  25. 

Yrujo,  Don  Carlos  Martinez,  470. 


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